NEWSPolitics

Minneapolis Dems buying influence online to shape public opinion ahead of trial of officer accused in Floyd death

Workers install barbed wire on fencing outside the Hennepin County Government Center, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2021 in Minneapolis, as part of security preparation for the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. The trial is slated begin with jury selection on March 8. Chauvin is charged with murder the death of George Floyd during an arrest last May in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Workers install barbed wire on fencing outside the Hennepin County Government Center, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2021 in Minneapolis, as part of security preparation for the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. The trial is slated begin with jury selection on March 8. Chauvin is charged with murder the death of George Floyd during an arrest last May in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Workers install barbed wire on fencing outside the Hennepin County Government Center, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2021 in Minneapolis, as part of security preparation for the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. The trial is slated begin with jury selection on March 8. Chauvin is charged with murder the death of George Floyd during an arrest last May in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 8:47 AM PT – Monday, March 1, 2021

The city of Minneapolis plans to pay social media influencers to shape public opinion during the trial of the police officer accused in the death of George Floyd.

The Minneapolis City Council voted Friday to pay six influencers to disseminate talking points throughout the upcoming trial of officer Derek Chauvin. The communications and de-escalation plan is expected to cost taxpayers $1 million.

The city’s ruling Democrats said the influencers are tasked with fighting rumors and false information online. The goal is to rally support among African American, Indian, Islamic and Latino communities by targeting those who don’t follow mainstream media and don’t consume information in English

“What we’re really trying to do is help folks understand what they’re going to be seeing, answer questions about that,” explained Sarah Davis, the executive director of the Legal Rights Center.

Influencers will be paid $2,000 each to cover Chauvin’s trial in early March as well as a separate trial for three police officers also charged in Floyd’s case slated for August.

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