Wicks Out for Harambe: a Candlelit Vigil for the Internet’s Favourite Gorilla

Harambe, we hardly knew you. It’s now been five months since the internet’s best-loved gorilla was shot at Cincinnati Zoo – after he dragged along a three-year-old boy who climbed into his enclosure – and became 2016’s most relentless meme. And those devoted to Harambe, those willing to not only tweet about getting their dicks out for him but pay their respects in person, headed to Hyde Park in London on Friday for a candlelit vigil.

A Facebook event, that seemed to some like a joke, turned into an IRL meeting of Harambe fans. By 8PM, a small group had gathered near the exit from Hyde Park Corner tube station. There were candles. There was a tasteful Harambe printout. There were men dressed as giant bananas. Eventually, after a few words spoken and an “H” spelled out in tea lights, some of the group splintered offfor a walk into the park in remembrance of Harambe’s glory. We sent photographer Sam Sargeant to scope things out, and here’s what he saw.

@sargeantmuel

Matthew Davidson, 19, who travelled from Cambridge

David Richardson, 27 (left) travelled from Sunderland and Callum Burke, 23, travelled from Whitechapel

Luke Collyer-Hoar, left, and Athi Dharma

Emilia Zierser, 19, who travelled from Berlin