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Minneapolis has scrapped plans to pay social media influencers to share information during the upcoming trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin for the death of George Floyd.
In an email sent to city elected officials and obtained by ABC News, Minneapolis Director of Communications Greta Bergstrom and Director of Neighborhood and Community Relations David Rubedor confirmed plans to cancel the initiative. We would like to take a moment to address the recommendation to use social media influencers as part of the Joint Information System information sharing strategies, the email stated. The initiative, according to the email, came about because we have heard repeatedly that many residents are not connected to the city s traditional routes
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It is hoped the social media stars will help dispel potential misinformation
The city council is keen to avoid a repeat of the violence following Floyd s death
Councilors voted Friday to approve the $1 million communication plan
They said: The goal is to increase access to information to communities that do not typically follow mainstream news sources or City communications channels
It is not known which social media platform the council will target
But activist Toussaint Morrison said: It s going to be pro-city, anti-protest If you go through lengths and measures to buy a narrative, what does that say about the leadership and trust that has been eroded, he added