Hanau Remembers Victims of Attack with Demonstration - Hanau unites four years after racist attack claimed nine lives
A public rally in Hanau has marked the fourth anniversary of the deadly racist attack that claimed nine lives. On February 19, 2020, a 43-year-old gunman targeted people of migrant backgrounds in two separate locations. The city came together this week to honour the victims and demand justice for their families.
The attack unfolded on the evening of February 19, 2020, when the shooter entered a shisha bar and a café in Hanau. Nine people were killed, five of them under 30 years old. Among the youngest victims were 16-year-old Gökhan Gültekin and four others aged between 17 and 21: Ferhat Unvar, Mercedes Kierpacz, Said Nesar Hashemi, and Famran Çiaho. After the killings, the attacker returned home, where he shot his mother before turning the weapon on himself.
Earlier this week, relatives of the victims gathered alongside city, state, and federal officials for a silent vigil. Wreaths were placed at both crime scenes as a mark of respect. The following day, around 200 people joined a rally organised by a local youth alliance. The demonstration began at the market square and ended in the Kesselstadt district, where many of the victims lived.
The events in Hanau have left a lasting impact on the community. The memorials and protests serve as reminders of the lives lost and the ongoing fight against racism. Authorities and residents continue to call for solidarity and action to prevent such violence in the future.
