03/14/2024
On March 14, 1891, a vigilante mob in shot and lynched 11 innocent Italians and Italian Americans for their alleged role in the murder of city police chief David Hennessy, even though some of them had already been acquitted at trial.
It was one of the largest single mass lynchings in American history.
On this Anniversary of this darkest chapter in history, let us always remember those whose lives were taken on that day.
Antonio Bagnetto, Fruit Peddler: Tried & Acquitted.
James Caruso, Stevedore: Not Tried.
Loreto Comitis, Tinsmith: Not Tried.
Rocco Geraci, Stevedore: Not Tried.
Joseph Macheca, Fruit Importer & Democratic Party Boss: Tried & Acquitted.
Antonio Marchesi, Fruit Peddler: Tried & Acquitted.
Pietro Monasterio, Cobbler: Mistrial.
Emmanuele Polizzi, Street Vendor: Mistrial.
Frank Romero, Ward Politician: Not Tried.
Antonio Scaffidi, Fruit Peddler: Mistrial.
Charles Traina, Rice Plantation Laborer: Not Tried.
Eternal rest, grant unto them O Lord
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.