Odd airport encounter, an open letter to Emory, and diverse candidates announce runs for office.

Dear 285 South friends,

Before we start, I wanted to thank those of you who filled out a community feedback survey to let me know what you like, and don’t like, about 285 South! If you want to share your thoughts and feedback – the survey is here.

Also – 285 South is looking for freelance writers/reporters/journalists. Interested? Just reply to this email or send me a note at sophia@285south.com.

That’s all for now ~

Sophia Qureshi

Founder and Publisher, 285 South

Heads up: Voter registration deadline for the presidential primaries in GA: February 12 is the deadline to register to vote in the primaries. Early voting starts February 20, and voting day is March 12. Check out this voting guide, in multiple languages, from Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta. Check your voter registration status here.

False accusations directed at nonprofit supporting immigrants at the airport: State Senator Colton Moore accused a local nonprofit that supports immigrants at the airport of “human trafficking.” He filmed himself visiting a room on the second floor of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta airport, where volunteers were supporting immigrants who had been cleared to fly, according to the AJC. Moore posted about the experience afterward (the post got more than 8,000 shares), saying he uncovered a “human trafficking operation of unimaginable size” and that Georgia “borders are being breached.” Lautaro Grinspan has the story.

Emory University students describe discrimination and harassment on campus: The Council of American Islamic Relations – Georgia, along with a coalition of groups including Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta, Project South, and Jewish Voices for Peace, have sent an open letter to Emory University, on behalf of Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students who they say have been targeted on campus and online since the October 7 attacks in Israel. The letter calls on the University “to protect its students from these attacks and affirm their right to advocate for Palestine.”

In a statement to 11-Alive, Emory said it is “reviewing the letter” and “Emory does not tolerate any action that discriminates against groups or individuals because of their nationality, identity or beliefs.” Read more from 11-Alive here, and check out this story from the Emory Wheel.

Mexican-American businesswoman announces run for state office: Laura Murvartian has announced she is running for state representative in Georgia’s 48th district, which includes parts of Roswell, Peachtree Corners, and Johns Creek – an area that has seen tight races in the last two election cycles. She will be running against Republican incumbent Scott Hilton. Murvartian moved to the U.S. from Mexico when she was a child, and is the founder of Arte GA, a nonprofit that connects LatinX creative professionals. El Nuevo Georgia spoke to her about why she decided to run and what she hopes to accomplish.

Vietnamese community leader running for Gwinnett County commissioner: Tung (Tim) Le, originally from Vietnam, is running for Gwinnett County Commissioner in District 1. Since moving to Atlanta nearly two decades ago, Le has been working in real estate and has been an active member of the Vietnamese American Community of Georgia. Check out this profile of him in the Georgia Asian Times.

ICYMI:  Nicaraguan artist Melvin Toledo spoke to 285 South from his studio in Tucker about his latest portraits and his upcoming exhibit Stars of America. Read the story here.

And finally, the Decatur Lunar New Year festival this weekend drew more people than it has since it started two years ago, according to event organizers. If you missed it, no worries – there are events throughout the month: check out 285 South’s February calendar.