‘Salam Neighbor’ comes to BI Salon Night

The latest Bainbridge Island School District Salon Night is dedicated to discussing immigration issues and will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 18 in the Library Reading Room at Bainbridge High School, located on the west end of the main BHS building.

All ages are invited to attend.

The evening will begin with a screening of the film “Salam Neighbor,” a documentary on life in a Syrian refugee camp made by Bainbridge Island natives Chris Temple and Zach Ingrasci. The project was shot as they lived among 85,000 refugees in a Jordanian camp seven miles from the Syrian border.

They were the first filmmakers allowed by United Nations to live in a refugee camp, according to the filmmakers.

Following the film, Martitha May, Family Services Director for the Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center, will discuss how school district can respond when Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials visit school property.

Additionally, Nick Hall, an internationally known photographer from Bainbridge Island, will also attend and share his experience with Syrian refugees, said event spokeswoman Kathryn McGowan. “He has been spending time photographing Syrian refugees upon entry into Seattle during the recent immigration bans.”

The Multicultural Advisory Council of the Bainbridge Island School District is sponsoring the screening and discussion event as part of its ongoing Salon Night series, offered to encourage community dialogue on issues that impact local schools and the surrounding community.

There is no fee to attend, though donations are welcome.