Local restaurant family getting death threats after flap over 'Romney visit'

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DENVER - After getting death threats and countless hate calls on Thursday, the owners of Rosa Linda's Mexican Cafe were swamped Friday with customers who came from across Colorado to show their support.

The line of customers extended out onto the sidewalk.

"We live way out east by the airport," said Natalie Jones. "But we drove all the way over to have some lunch and show our support."

Jones was among hundreds of customers outraged by reports of the death threats.

The hate calls and emails came from people who were under the impression that the Aguirre family refused to serve Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Oscar Aguirre told 7NEWS that they never refused to serve him. He said two former missionaries dropped by the restaurant in August and asked if the family would be willing to host a campaign event for Romney.

The Aguirres said Romney could eat there, but they didn't want the restaurant used for a campaign stop.

Earlier this week, Romney stopped to eat at a Chipotle restaurant. The following day there was a story in Westword that said Romney stopped at Chipotle... but is not invited to Rosa Linda's.

The hate calls started pouring in. Many of them from out of state.

One came in the middle of Aguirre's on camera interview with 7NEWS. He put the call on his speaker phone.

The angry caller said, "Take you and all your B******s back to Mexico you (expletive) piece of crapola."

In addition to death threats, Aguirre said the family-run restaurant has had to deal with canceled orders and reservations.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/local-restaurant-family-getting-death-threats-over-refusal-to-host-romney-campaign-stop