'' Pleva stood up and tried to defuse the situation . `` I 'm sorry ; do I know you ? '' Pleva asked . `` I do n't care if you know me or not , '' Mackalonis answered . `` Do not say this town is racist . '' `` I did n't say that , '' Pleva said . `` Do n't speak for anyone else , '' demanded Mackalonis . `` I promise you , I do n't , '' Pleva said . The exchange went on for minutes . It was highly unusual to have a formal interview interrupted in that way . But , the emotion of that moment typified the anxiety that gripped Shenandoah , a down-and-out former coal town in central Pennsylvania . Mackalonis interrupts CNN interview '' On July 12 , 2008 , a group of white high school students , out on the prowl after a night of drinking , encountered one of their female classmates in the company of Luis Ramirez , a 25-year-old migrant worker from Mexico . Racial insults were exchanged , and , in no time , a fight ensued . Police reports claim that at
In our Behind the Scenes series , CNN correspondents , producers and photojournalists share their experiences in covering news and analyze the stories behind the events . CNN 's Cliff Hackel talks about his experiences while on location for the documentary `` Latino in America . '' Shenandoah , Pennsylvania , resident Jaelynn Mackalonis wants people to know that her town is not racist . SHENANDOAH , Pennsylvania -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Jaelynn Mackalonis was angry . The upcoming trial in the killing of Luis Ramirez had rocked the town of Shenandoah , Pennsylvania , and Mackalonis urgently wanted to speak out . She hung out on the street , overhearing CNN 's interview of her neighbor Lou Ann Pleva . As Pleva recounted the various opinions around town about the street fight that killed Ramirez , Mackalonis ' blood began to boil . She whistled and waved her arms to get our attention . Finally , she exploded . `` We just want to let you know , the neighbors around here , it 's not fair that one person is going to speak for us , '' Mackalonis insisted . `` This was n't a racial crime .