Dozens of Italian immigrants were rounded up without just cause in 1890 following the murder of New Orleans Police Chief David Hennessy. Nineteen immigrants were indicted and nine went to trial, resulting in six acquittals and three mistrials.

About 10,000 people, enraged by the judicial outcome, gathered outside of Parish Prison where the immigrants were being held. A group of armed men stormed the prison, and 11 Italians were clubbed, hanged and torn apart by the crowd on March 14, 1891. It was the largest mass lynching in American history.