South Floridians are gathering today to remember the third anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
The City of North Miami is collaborating with Konbit for Haiti / Color of Hope for a "Save Haiti" ride on Saturday. The North Miami ride begins at 8 a.m. at the MOCA Plaza, 770 NE 125 Street.
At 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, the City of North Miami is holding a silent march and prayer vigil at the corner of 54 street and North Miami Avenue. At 4 p.m. on Saturday, the community is invited to join together at the Haitian Garden at Forest Lawn North Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 200 West Copans Road in Pompano Beach. There, participants will remember the lives lost and honor the resilience of all survivors.
Various events are being held Saturday at Lynn University as part of the third annual "Knights Unite Day of Caring." Service projects are designed honor four students and two faculty members who died during the quake. The six were in Haiti on a mission trip helping Haitian orphans.This year's day of caring will culminate with a remembrance service and moment of silence at 4:53 p.m. (the moment the quake occurred). The service is not open to the public. In Haiti, the government is planning a low-key ceremony. Haitian President Michel Martelly will preside over what an adviser calls a "subdued" memorial at the grounds of the former national palace.
Presidential adviser Damian Merlo said Saturday's memorial would be a small public event with just senior officials from the government. The palace was destroyed in the quake and most of its rubble has been removed.
The U.N. also plans a small private memorial to mark the anniversary.
Ceremonies and related events last year were more elaborate.
The government says the 7.0 magnitude earthquake killed about 316,000 people. There are still more than 350,000 displaced people living in encampments around the capital.