On this October 7, Miami-Dade County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez remembers the innocent lives taken during the attacks of October 7, 2023, and reflects on his visit to Israel, where he walked through Kibbutz Be’eri and visited the site of the Nova music festival.
Standing in those places, surrounded by destroyed homes, memorials, photographs, and personal belongings left behind, left an impression Fernandez says he will carry with him always. What happened there was more than a moment in history. It was a human tragedy that forever changed families, communities, and an entire nation.
“Walking through Be’eri and standing at the Nova festival site is something I will never forget,” said Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez. “But even in places marked by unimaginable loss, I was reminded of something equally powerful: hatred does not have the final word. The memory of those we lost lives on through the families who carry them in their hearts, through communities that refuse to forget, and through every person who continues to stand for life, dignity, and peace.”
Fernandez emphasized that remembrance must be more than looking back. It is a commitment to honor the victims by defending the dignity of human life, rejecting terrorism in all its forms, and standing with the families who continue to carry the pain of October 7. He also recognized the deep ties between Israel and many families throughout Miami-Dade County.
“Today, we remember every innocent life that was taken, every survivor, and every family whose world changed forever,” Fernandez said. “We remember because their lives mattered. We remember because their stories must never disappear. And we remember with the hope that future generations can inherit a world where families can live without fear and where human dignity and peace are protected.”
On this solemn anniversary, Fernandez stands in solidarity with the people of Israel and with all those who continue to mourn. He reaffirmed a simple message of remembrance and hope: we will remember their names, we will honor their lives, and we will continue choosing light over darkness, hope over hatred, and life over terror. May the memory of the victims always be a blessing.
