Haitians in South Florida commemorate anniversary of devastating Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake
By Jacqueline Charles and
Carl Juste
Miami-Dade Commissioner Oliver Gilbert, right, gives his remarks as members of the Haitian community and others gathered at Toussaint L’ Ouverture Statue for the customary moment of silence occurring at 4:53PM – the time of the 2010 earthquake prior to leading a procession to the Little Haiti Cultural Complex for a ceremonial remembrance of those who perished on Sunday, December 12, 2025.
Carl Juste
cjuste@miamiherald.com
Sunday, January 12, 2025 marked the 15th anniversary of Haiti’s devastating 7.0 earthquake. The disaster, which nearly destroyed the country’s capital of Port-au-Prince, claimed more than 300,000 lives, according to the Haitian government. Another 1.5 million people were injured and 1.5 million were displaced.
Haitians around South Florida marked the solemn anniversary by remembering friends and families lost in the rubble, and the challenges facing their homeland today where armed gangs now control more than 80% of the capital. In Coral Springs, Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen marked the occasion by paying tribute to the Haitian people.
“Haiti’s story is one of perseverance and hope,” she said. “Even in the face of unimaginable devastation, the Haitian community has continued to rise, rebuild and inspire the world.”
In Little Haiti, Haitians gathered at the Toussaint Louverture Memorial Statue, 6136 N. Miami Ave., where after speakers’ remarks, they held a customary moment of silence at 4:53 p.m. — the moment the ground in 2010 buckled, sending buildings crashing down. Participants later joined in a march to the Little Haiti Cultural Center, 5925 NE Second Ave.
Take a look:
Miami-Dade Commissioner Marlene Bastien, center, lead in a moment of silence at 4:53 PM. Members of the Haitian community and others gathered at Toussaint L’ Ouverture Statue for the customary moment of silence occurring at 4:53PM – the time of the 2010 earthquake prior to leading a procession to the Little Haiti Cultural Complex for a ceremonial remembrance of those who perished on Sunday, December 12, 2025. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Children gaze beyond signs as members of the Haitian community and others gathered at Toussaint L’ Ouverture Statue for the customary moment of silence occurring at 4:53PM – the time of the 2010 earthquake prior to leading a procession to the Little Haiti Cultural Complex for a ceremonial remembrance of those who perished on Sunday, December 12, 2025. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Children hold up signs in support of Haiti as members of the Haitian community and others gathered at Toussaint L’ Ouverture Statue for the customary moment of silence occurring at 4:53PM – the time of the 2010 earthquake prior to leading a procession to the Little Haiti Cultural Complex for a ceremonial remembrance of those who perished on Sunday, December 12, 2025. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Miami-Dade Commissioner Oliver Gilbert, right, gives his remarks as members of the Haitian community and others gathered at Toussaint L’ Ouverture Statue for the customary moment of silence occurring at 4:53PM – the time of the 2010 earthquake prior to leading a procession to the Little Haiti Cultural Complex for a ceremonial remembrance of those who perished on Sunday, December 12, 2025. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
A large Haitian flag waves with the setting sun as members of the Haitian community and others gathered at Toussaint L’ Ouverture Statue for the customary moment of silence occurring at 4:53PM – the time of the 2010 earthquake prior to leading a procession to the Little Haiti Cultural Complex for a ceremonial remembrance of those who perished on Sunday, December 12, 2025. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Jacqueline Charles has reported on Haiti and the English-speaking Caribbean for the Miami Herald for over a decade. A Pulitzer Prize finalist for her coverage of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, she was awarded a 2018 Maria Moors Cabot Prize — the most prestigious award for coverage of the Americas.
