The School of Social Work is partnering with the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights to host the premiere of a new documentary, American Beat: Cops and Refugees Join Forces in Boise at 7:00pm on February 6 at the Special Events Center in the Boise State University, Student Union Building.
The film features three stories from the Boise Police Department and their devotion to immigrants. It reveals the groundbreaking efforts that went into integrating and mentoring refugees; the determination of a former Iraqi translator for the U.S. military, putting down roots with his family and hoping to become a police officer; and the story of Boise, itself, working to help refugees from war-torn Africa and the Middle East learn to trust that in America, a united community can conquer tragedy and hate.
The event will also feature a panel discussion following the film with panelists: police Chief William Bones and police Officer Dustin Robinson from the Boise Police Department, Zeze Rwasama, director of the Refugee Center for the College of Southern Idaho, Julianne Donnelly Tzul, executive director for the International Rescue Committee in Boise, and Chad Ward, from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Boise.
The event is open to all guests free of charge. Doors will open at 6:30pm as spots are limited to the first 435 people to arrive. The film and panel discussion will begin at 7:00pm