Latino parent who went viral after being told to stay in Mexico describes to CNN the subsequent online harassment he's received
Adrian Iraola: “This is a very painful moment, and we need to speak up against racism, and I continue to speak”
Published
Citation From the February 6, 2020, edition of CNN's CNN Newsroom with Brooke Baldwin
BROOKE BALDWIN (HOST): You've been receiving threats. I understand you told my producer, people are posting pictures of your children, they're trying to get your daughter fired from her job, threatening to firebomb your restaurants, your own kids don't want you to speak out on this so publicly, why do you want to come on national television, sir, and use your voice on this?
ADRIAN IRAOLA: Brooke, I have received so much support from so many people. This incident went national for many reasons. When people come to me and want to express their support and gratitude for my wife and I speaking up, they shake my hand, give me hugs, and many of them of all races cry on my shoulder, and I cry with them. This is a very painful moment, and we need to speak up against racism, and I continue to speak and I will continue to speak because there are very few people that choose to have their voices heard, and if I have an opportunity to let people know that this is wrong and make this a better school system and a better community, then it's all worth it.