1939 Press Photo Mothers plead to Governor Lehman for their doomed sons

Five mothers from New York City's Lower East side are shown before the executive chambers at the State Capitol in Albany where they pleaded with Governor Lehman to spare their sons from death in the electric chair. The youths are scheduled to die during the week of January 22 for the slaying of policeman Michael Foley in April 1937. Several delegates from East side organizations accompanied the mothers with petitions for mercy claiming the boys were victims of environment and never had a chance. The mothers left to right are Mrs. Berry Chaleff, Mrs. Mary Guariglia, Mrs. Ellen O'Loughlin, Mrs. Yetta Friedman and Mrs. Fanny Zimmerman.

Photo is dated 1939.

Photo measures 8.5 x 6.75 inches.