I am deeply affected by the tragic death of Harambe. This gorilla's demise touched many hearts and led to our community voting for a bridge in our city to be named in his honor - the Harambe Memorial Bridge. However, it has come to my attention that there are plans underway to override this popular vote and change the name of this memorial.

Harambe's story is not just about an individual animal; it is a symbol of humanity's relationship with wildlife. His death sparked global outrage and inspired numerous campaigns for animal rights. The naming of this bridge was not merely an act of remembrance but also a statement about our commitment to respect all life forms.

In 2016, when Harambe died, there were only around 880 mountain gorillas left in the wild according to World Wildlife Fund statistics. Today their numbers have slightly increased but they remain critically endangered due largely to human activities.

The renaming attempt feels like an effort by city officials to erase what we as a community decided together - that we should remember Harambe and reflect on how we can better coexist with wildlife.

Let us stand firm against this attempt at rewriting history. Let us preserve the name 'Harambe Memorial Bridge' as a testament not only to one gorilla's life but also as an enduring reminder for future generations about our responsibility towards other species sharing this planet with us.

Please sign this petition if you believe in upholding democratic decisions and preserving memorials that hold deep significance for communities.