The Bahamas issued a travel warning to the United States on Friday, cautioning its citizens about police violence in the country.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration has taken a note of the recent tensions in some American cities over shootings of young black males by police officers,” the statement read. “We wish to advise all Bahamians traveling to the US but especially to the affected cities to exercise appropriate caution generally. In particular, young males are asked to exercise extreme caution in affected cities in their interactions with the police. Do not be confrontational and cooperate.”
The statement follows the tragic deaths of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling at the hands of police earlier this week, as well as five officers in Dallas in a sniper attack on Thursday.
The statement also warned Bahamian citizens to “not get involved in political or other demonstrations under any circumstances and [to] avoid crowds.”
Protests and demonstrations against police brutality took place across the United States after the deaths of Castile and Sterling. The shooting in Dallas, Texas on Thursday occurred during one such demonstration. The gunman, who officers said acted alone out of a desire “to kill white officers,” shot and killed five Dallas police officers. Seven other officers and two civilians were also injured during the demonstration.
On Friday, police used pepper spray and fired bean bags at a demonstration in Phoenix, Arizona, after the demonstrators tried to block the freeway. According to The Arizona Republic, police officials said three protesters were arrested for throwing rocks at officers and at least six people were injured.
#PhoenixRally. They sprayed pepper spray and shot rubber bullets during this peaceful march pic.twitter.com/8v3jVR8zHq
— alex (@jkindy2) July 9, 2016
The travel warning was posted on Facebook by the Bahamian Ministry of Environment and Housing and the Bahamas’ Consulate General in New York.
The Bahamas’ travel warning can be read in full below:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Issues Travel Advisory for Bahamians traveling to United States of America
For Immediate Release
8 July 2016The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration has taken a note of the recent tensions in some American cities over shootings of young black males by police officers.
At the commencement of the Independence holiday weekend, many Bahamians will no doubt use the opportunity to travel, in particular to destinations in the United States.
We wish to advise all Bahamians traveling to the US but especially to the affected cities to exercise appropriate caution generally. In particular young males are asked to exercise extreme caution in affected cities in their interactions with the police. Do not be confrontational and cooperate.
If there is any issue please allow consular offices for The Bahamas to deal with the issues. Do not get involved in political or other demonstrations under any circumstances and avoid crowds.
The Bahamas has consular offices in New York, Washington, Miami and Atlanta and honorary consuls in Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago and Houston.
Their addresses are on the Ministry’s website – mofa.gov.bs
Pay attention to the public notices and news announcements in the city that you are visiting.
Be safe, enjoy the holiday weekend and be sensible.
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