Philly activist confesses to years-long identity fraud faking Black and Palestinian heritage

Key Points:

• Hannah Gann, a white Philadelphia teacher and activist, admitted to falsely claiming Palestinian and Black heritage while working with Palestinian and racial justice groups, describing herself as a “white woman of significant privilege and wealth.”
• Gann acknowledged deceiving everyone in her life, including friends, family, and colleagues, and expressed remorse while affirming her continued belief in the causes she supported.
• Keziah Ridgeway, a fellow Philadelphia teacher and longtime friend, revealed she was misled by Gann’s false identity claims and confronted her after learning the truth from the Philly Palestine Coalition.
• An investigation by the Philly Palestine Coalition found that Gann’s claims about her Palestinian ancestry were fabricated, with her grandfather actually born in Baltimore and family living in Israel; the coalition and associated organizations have severed ties with her.
• The Philadelphia School District is aware of the situation and is offering support to affected students and staff, while the involved activist groups condemned Gann’s deception and emphasized their commitment to their mission despite the betrayal.