MARLEINE BASTIEN: The Miami-Dade County commissioner and executive director of the Family Action Network Movement (FANM) urges attendance at the Sunday, Jan. 12 vigil to reflect on the tragedy, demand accountability in recovery and development projects, and pray for a prosperous Haiti. PHOTO COURTESY OF FANM

Miami – The Family Action Network Movement (FANM) is inviting the public to participate in a Jan. 12 earthquake vigil marking the 15th anniversary of Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake.

The gathering is set to begin at 3 p.m. at the Toussaint Louverture Memorial Statue, 6136 N. Miami Ave., and feature speakers starting at 4 p.m., with a moment of silence at 4:53 p.m. – the quake’s precise time.

A procession to the Little Haiti Cultural Center, 5925 NE 2nd Ave., will follow at 5 p.m.

The 7.0-magnitude earthquake, according to some sources, killed and wounded hundreds of thousands of people, left over 1 million displaced, and decimated infrastructure. Haitians worldwide watched in dismay. Global supporters rallied behind recovery efforts.

"We are gathering in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Haiti to remember one of the worst crises in modern history and to honor those who were killed and wounded as a result,” said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Marleine Bastien, executive director of FANM.

“We encourage all to join us to pray for the people of Haiti as they continue to face serious problems including corruption, a crippled infrastructure and grave human rights abuses. Let us come together to remember, reflect, and pray for a strong, just, and thriving Haiti!"