Chauvin Trial: Facebook Lists Minneapolis As 'High-Risk Location'

MINNEAPOLIS — Facebook is calling Minneapolis a "high-risk location" as the social media giant prepares its sites for a verdict in the murder trial against former police officer Derek Chauvin. Chauvin is charged in the Memorial Day 2020 death of George Floyd.

The label of "high-risk" means Facebook staff is closely monitoring posts about the city and the trial, and may limit or remove posts it deems to be "misinformation" or "hate speech."

Posts on the Instagram app, which is owned by Facebook, will also receive scrutiny.

"Our teams are working around the clock to look for potential threats both on and off of Facebook and Instagram so we can protect peaceful protests and limit content that could lead to civil unrest or violence," Monika Bickert, vice president of Facebook's content policy, said in a blog post on Monday.

"This includes identifying and removing calls to bring arms to areas in Minneapolis, which we have temporarily deemed to be a high-risk location. We will continue to monitor events on the ground to determine if additional locations will be deemed as temporary, high-risk locations."

State prosecutors and the defense are making their closing arguments Monday in the Chavuin trial. After those statements, the 12 members of the jury will be sequestered from friends and family until they make a unanimous decision on the charges.

Chauvin faces third-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter, and second-degree unintentional murder charges in Floyd's death.

Potential for more civil unrest

Resources from "Operation Safety Net" — a coordinated effort between the Minnesota National Guard, state patrol and local law enforcement to maintain peace after the verdict in the trial against Chauvin — have been deployed in Brooklyn Center and throughout the Twin Cities metro since last week because of the fatal police shooting of Daunte Wright.

Wright's death sparked another round of unrest in the metro even as Chauvin's trial continued. Businesses, local governments and neighbors in the Minneapolis area are now preparing for the potential of more street violence this week related to Chauvin's trial.

After's Floyd death, nearly 1,500 Twin Cities businesses were damaged by vandalism, thefts and fire, according to the state government. Estimates of the damage exceed $500 million.

Minneapolis Public Schools announced Friday it will suspend in-person learning this week as the state awaits a verdict.

"We know this trial has been painful for many people," Facebook's Bickert continued.

"We want to strike the right balance between allowing people to speak about the trial and what the verdict means, while still doing our part to protect everyone’s safety. We will allow people to discuss, critique and criticize the trial and the attorneys involved."

Read more:

• Derek Chauvin Trial: Watch Livestream Of Closing Arguments Monday