Announcing “The Romey Lynchings” Website

On May 17th, 1929, two Lebanese immigrants in Lake City, Florida were murdered in a tragic tale of racial violence against Arab immigrants. Hasna Romey was killed by police while defending her husband and business, and her husband, N’oula, was imprisoned and lynched by members of the Ku Klux Klan in retaliation for his wife’s actions.

To share this story, the Khayrallah Center has published an interactive website. On the website, you will find a full length narrative (in both English and Arabic) of the tragic events leading up to May 17th, 1929, a detailed timeline and interactive map compiled from extensive research and eye witness accounts, primary source documents including newspaper articles, and letters to Florida’s governor, and family photographs generously donated by descendants of the Romey’s and their cousins.

We hope that viewers appreciate the gravity of this story and learn about the complex experiences of Lebanese immigrants to the United States. The story of N’oula and Hasna brings to light, albeit through its most terrifying outcome, an experience of racial violence and prejudice which many Lebanese and Arab immigrants have faced both in the past and today.

A documentary film was released in Spring, 2020.

We welcome your comments and feedback on this project!