Walking For Ded, a film about an Albanian immigrant who has lived and worked in the United States for 17 years after being denied political asylum, will premiere on Friday, April 12. The film was produced by Scott Boehm, Assistant Professor of Spanish, and Peter Johnston, Academic Specialist in the Department of English.

The filmis a meditation on the revival of the sanctuary movement in the United States in response to the anti-immigrant political agenda implemented by the Trump administration. It focuses on the case of Ded Rranxburgaj, who has been in sanctuary with his family at the Central United Methodist Church in Detroit since January 16, 2018.

In May 2018, members of the congregation led by Rev. Jill Zundel teamed up with other faith communities and Michigan United, a coalition that fights for immigrant rights, to organize a 90-mile pilgrimage to “Keep Families Together” from Detroit to the state capitol in Lansing, Michigan. Walking For Ded follows their efforts to bring attention to Ded’s plight and to convince Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to issue a stay of removal.

Walking For Ded will premiere online to stream for free through the film’s website as well as at the Central United Methodist Church on 23 East Adams Street in Detroit on Friday, April 12, from 9 to 10 p.m. with free parking at the Elizabeth Street parking lot. An additional screening will take place on Wednesday, April 17, at 6 p.m. at the Capital City Film Festival located at 1300 Eureka Street in Lansing.

For more information, contact Scott Boehmn, Film Director, at scott.walter.boehm@gmail.com.