Hennessy was ambushed and shot by several men as he was entering his New Orleans home. As Hennessey lay on the sidewalk. he stated that a group of ItalianAmericans committed the act. Soon after. there was an eruption of antiItalian feeling throughout the city. Mayor Joseph A. Shakespeare responded by ordering the police to "arrest every Italian in the city." Hundreds of Italian immigrants were rounded up. most not even having the slightest idea of why they were being arrested. They were kept in close confinement and treated harshly by the police. Of the hundreds of Italians arrested. all but 19 were eventually released.
Identified stereotypes
Generalization that a group of Italian-Americans committed a crime, leading to mass arrests of Italians.