On June 24th, 2021, 98 beautiful, innocent, hardworking loved ones went to sleep (some awake) in the place they called home- Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida. They never woke up to see daylight again. At around 1:20 AM, the unimaginable tragedy happened- the country's first building collapsed for no known reason. We work our entire lives to purchase our dream home and start a family, but for these countless innocent victims, their dream home is what got them killed.
To make matters more painful, on Wednesday, July 14th, Judge Michael Hanzman approved the sale of the graveyard where so many died so that it could be listed on the open market to another high-rise developer. To give brief context, the approval for another development was given before all the victims were recovered from the rubble. How much more disrespect could these innocent victims and their families handle? To clarify- when the media released information on recovered bodies, they did not mean entire bodies. A large majority of the "recovered" victims were given to the medical examiner in small percentages. Some families only received a finger; others were considered lucky for receiving over half of the body.
Two years after the devastating Surfside collapse, shock and disappointment continue to ripple through the community and among the victim's families. Many had assumed that an honorable memorial on the collapse site would be the natural course of action, a way to honor their loved ones at their final resting place. However, this assumption has met with startling realities.
The developer who purchased the site has proposed development plans to the Town of Surfside, without any mention of a memorial on the collapse site. This glaring omission stings, especially as the affected families have continually advocated for collaboration that could incorporate a fitting memorial alongside profitable development. Instead of a dialogue, we have met with silence and insults from the Mayor of Surfside.
To further compound the issue, Surfside Mayor Shlomo Danzinger has recently returned from a secretive trip to Dubai, as reported by the Miami Herald. The purpose of this trip remains unclear, causing great discomfort among the families who have called for nothing more than transparency and collaboration.
Upon his return, Mayor Shlomo Danzinger has been heavily pushing for a new zoning code (Ordinance 2A), one that appears to solely favor the developer. If this ordinance is passed, it would offer the developer substantial additional profits, yet fails to mandate a memorial at the site of the collapse.
Special presentation by Mayor Shlomo Danzinger for special treatment towards developer on July 25, 2025:
During this meeting, residents and victims' families voiced their strong opposition against this ordinance, citing the absence of a memorial and the disproportionate benefits for the developer. The pain and memory of the 98 innocent lives lost warrant an incorporated memorial, not preferential treatment for a developer.
Thankfully, it requires a 3/5 majority to pass any ordinance in the town. Commendably, Commissioners Fred Landsman, Nelly Velasquez, and Marianne Meischeid all voted “NO” for Ordinance 2A, reflecting the respect families have been advocating for. Unfortunately, Mayor Shlomo Danzinger and Vice Mayor Jeff Rose voted “YES”. The ordinance did not pass.
Despite the obvious disapproval of Ordinance 2A, Mayor Shlomo Danzinger intends to reintroduce it for another vote on August 8th, 2023. This act threatens to reopen wounds, forcing families to relive their pain unnecessarily. It appears he will persist in this until he sways other commissioners. We hope that Commissioners Fred Landsman, Nelly Velasquez, and Marianne Meischeid will maintain their resilience and once again vote “NO”.
We ask that you stand with us in this fight to incorporate a fitting memorial on the site of the Surfside Building Collapse. Please sign this petition, join the conversation, and lend your support.
This matter now lies in the hands of the City of Surfside and Miami Dade County. If you support a memorial on the site of the Collapse, please reach out to the decision-makers below and express your support. Your voice can make a difference. We need your help.
Together, we can ensure the Surfside Collapse site becomes a place of remembrance and honor for those we lost.
Miami Herald article of Mayor Shlomo Danzinger having secret meeting with Developer in Dubai:
Surfside Mayor Danzinger Secret Meeting Developer in Dubai
You can watch the disturbing special meeting held on July 25th, 2023 here:
Special Surfside Town Meeting To Benefit Developer Of Collapse Site
Shlomo Danzinger, Mayor of Surfside:
sdanzinger@townofsurfsidefl.gov
Fred Landsman, Commissioner:
flandsman@townofsurfsidefl.gov
Jeffrey Rose, Vice Mayor of Surfside:
jrose@townofsurfsidefl.gov
Marianne Meischeid, Commissioner:
mmeischeid@townofsurfsidefl.gov
Nelly Velasquez, Commissioner:
nvelasquez@townofsurfsidefl.gov
Daniella Levine Cava, Miami Dade County Mayor:
mayor@miamidade.gov
Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida
governorRon.desantis@eog.myflorida.com
If you would like to join additional efforts, please email ChamplainMemorial@gmail.com with your supporting statements and contact information.
IN AMERICA WE DO NOT BUILD OVER DEAD BODIES
DISCLAIMER: Donations submitted are not affiliated with our direct cause and will not be received by the victim's families. Donations in their entirety are submitted to the Change.org Charitable Foundation.