Five things to know this week (the last two are fun!).
CAIR-GA announced federal charges against the fast food chain Chipotle for workplace discrimination and harassment. Samira Gure, a 19 year old Somali American student, worked at a Chipotle in Tucker for three years where she said she was routinely subjected to harassment. She said she was asked about “Al-Queda, al-Shabaab, Osama Bin Laden and Palestine on a nearly daily basis as if I had some special insight. On several occasions co workers harassed me for choosing to wear modest clothing. A manager went as far as touching my hijab to feel the length of my hair." This isn’t the first time Chipotle has been accused of harassment. In August, a manager allegedly ripped off the headscarf of a Muslim employee. That manager has since been fired.
Today is Election Day. If you’re eligible to vote, you can find your polling location here. And if you have any questions around voting, call this hotline - 404- 955-7322 run by Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta. They can answer your questions in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, or Mandarin. (I called the hotline and the man who answered the phone was extremely helpful!).
This Friday, ICNA- Relief and APPNA are offering it’s first ever (in Georgia) free mobile health clinic at Masjid Al Momineen in Clarkston to provide health care services for uninsured or underinsured communities. Services include blood pressure screenings, blood sugar testing, and physician counseling. The clinic is open from 1-4pm on Friday. More info here.
Indian communities around Atlanta are celebrating Diwali - the festival of lights. It’s a 5-day occasion that honors the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness. Chai Pani in Decatur is hosting a Diwali Mela this Thursday starting at 5:30pm (there will be a henna artist and “live pani puri” - which I think must mean a pani puri station!) More info here. This is just one of many Diwali events around town - here’s a calendar from Khabar magazine with more.
Latinas Running is having a 3K Dia de los Muertos Walk/Run at Old Rope Mill Park in Woodstock, GA this Saturday at 8am. Organizers say this is optional, but if you want to take part in Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead traditions, you can paint your face and/or bring a photo, memory, or food to celebrate and honor the life of a loved one who passed, to put at the altar table. More info here.

Latinas Running is hosting a 3K Walk/Run in Woodstock this weekend.