The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County said Tuesday it would postpone a groundbreaking event intended to honor L.A. City Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas.
Initially scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, the event was to celebrate the naming of an entryway to a new community center—NHM Commons—in honor of the recently indicted councilmember.
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted last year to name the commons’ entrance plaza after Ridley-Thomas, who formerly served as a supervisor. The federal indictment charging him this month concerns his tenure with the county.
The community center will function as an immersive theater for science, education, and community projects, including films, lectures, and live-stream presentations.
The L.A. City Council voted to suspend Ridley-Thomas from his position on Oct. 20. The long-time L.A. political figure faces federal prosecution for an alleged quid-pro-quo bribery scheme struck with a University of Southern California dean during his time on the county board.
The councilmember has denied all wrongdoing and has vowed to fight the federal charges in court.
"Given the recent news regarding the federal indictment of L.A. City Council member and former L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, we do not believe it is the appropriate time to hold this event this month," a spokesperson for the museum said Tuesday.
The museum has not yet indicated whether Ridley-Thomas’ name will remain on the entryway when completed.
