The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture is in talks with Black Lives Matter members and the city of Cleveland to determine how to preserve the gazebo where 12-year-old Tamir Rice was fatally shot by police in 2014.
The city of Cleveland has agreed to delay the demolition of the Cudell Recreation Center gazebo where Cleveland police shot Tamir on Nov. 22, 2014. Tamir's death brought nationwide protest and served as one of many examples of overzealous and sometimes fatal policing of minority communities that were highlighted by the Black Lives Matter movement.
According to Fox 8, the gazebo was originally scheduled to be torn down May 2.
It's unclear whether the Smithsonian wants to preserve the gazebo in its current location or relocate the memorial to the museum, set to open later this year in Washington, D.C.
"Ms. Rice was interested in seeing the gazebo demolished and gone," Subodh Chandra, attorney for Tamir's family, told Cleveland.com regarding Tamir's mother. "But when she heard about this proposal, she understood the historic importance of [the gazebo] and was supportive of the concept if the museum is interested in acquiring it and will handle the matter in a tasteful and appropriate way."
Read more at Fox 8 and Cleveland.com.