WITH ARMS LIFTED WHEN he was pulled over, Terrence Crutcher, an African American resident of Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, was fatally shot at by a Police officer, Betty Shelby. He died later at a hospital where he was taken following the shooting.
IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, Keith Scott, 43, another African-American was also shot and killed by Charlotte-Mecklenburg officer, Brentley Vinson, after being mistaken for a wanted man.
SANDRA BLAND, A 28-year old black woman was found hanged in a jail cell in Waller County, Texas. Her death was classified as a suicide by the county coroner and was followed by protests against her arrests, disputing the cause of death and alleging racial violence against her.
IN OCTOBER 2014, LIBERIA’S intelligence chief and head of the country’s National Security Agency (NSA), Fombah Sirleaf and a friend were cuffed by New Jersey state troopers while they were loading suitcases into the back of a high-end luxury vehicle outside the Mills at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth on October 8, 2014 reported, NJ.com.
ACROSS THE U.S., IT’S becoming increasingly clear that black men and women are becoming afraid of their lives, leading to the sprouting of movements such as Black Lives Mater, which has called for safety for black and colored people all across the United States.
IN MAY 2015, THE US was slammed over its human rights record at the United Nations Human Rights Council, with member nations criticizing the country for Police violence and racial discrimination, the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility and the continued use of the death penalty, according to Al-jazeera news America.
THE ISSUE OF RACISM and Police brutality dominated the discussion during the country’s second universal periodic review (UPR). Country after country recommended that the U.S. strengthen legislation and expand training to eliminate racism and excessive use of force by law enforcement, Al-Jazeera stated.
“I’M NOT SURPRISED THAT the world’s eyes are focused on Police issues in the U.S.,” said Alba Morales, who investigates the U.S. criminal justice system at Human Rights Watch.
BUT THREE COUNTRIES HAVE already issued a travel alert and warning for their citizens to be wary and extremely careful when traveling across the United States.
BAHAMAS, BAHRAIN AND the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in July of this year warned their respective citizens to stay on guard when visiting American cities rocked by protest and string of Police shootings of African-Americans.
BAHAMAS, A CARIBBEAN NATION where people mostly identified as being of African heritage, warned its citizens to be careful as US Police officers constantly shoot young black males.
THE UNITED STATES regularly issues travel warnings, urging Americans to either avoid or exercise caution in countries marred by violence or political instability.
BUT ONE COUNTRY which has remained extremely mum on this issue, even if one of its officials has fallen into what is clearly becoming an issue of concern for black people around the world is Liberia.
LIBERIA, A COUNTRY FOUNDED by freed blacks from the United States, has a strong history of championing the rights of black people everywhere.
IN 1960, LIBERIA AND ETHIOPIA brought litigation against apartheid South Africa in the International Court of Justice to end its illegal occupation of Namibia. Former University of Liberia President, Dr. Rocheforte Weeks and another Liberian lawyer represented the country. As part of Liberia’s support for Namibia’s liberation struggle, many Namibian students received Liberian passports which helped them study abroad.
WHEN ISRAEL WOULD NOT LEAVE Palestinians’ land in Gaza, President William R. Tolbert, breaking away from the country’s tradition in voting for U.S. policies at the United Nations, chastised the Israelis for the occupation of lands belonging to Palestine.
LIBERIA HAS A UNIQUE relationship to the United States, dating as far back to independence. Many Liberians trooped to the US higher education and holidays.
BUT WITH THE PRESENT REALITY, black men AND women—Liberians, African-Americans, Nigerians, Bahamians etc—are no longer safe and free in the home of the brave and land of the free.
IN SITUATION LIKE THIS, SUCH as the current one ongoing in the United States, countries issue travel alert for their citizens to remain safe.
WHEN LIBERIA, GUINEA AND Sierra-Leone were affected by Ebola, every country around the world issued a travel alert for their citizens not to travel to the three affected countries, for fear of contracting the virus and causing a global epidemic.
IT IS DISAPPOINTING THAT Liberia has not issued a travel alert for Liberians traveling to the US as the world’s super power is no longer safe for people of Negro descent.