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Laurens City will pause official social media engagement for two weeks, mayor announces
Summary
Mayor announced the city will suspend posting and engagement on official social media platforms for two weeks and direct residents to alternative information channels, citing recent national political violence and local staff concerns.
Mayor (name not specified) announced at the start of the September Laurens City Council meeting that the city will pause its official engagement on social media platforms for two weeks beginning immediately.
The pause is intended to reduce the “temperature” of online discourse after what the mayor described as a recent rise in political violence and online anger. "I'm announcing tonight that beginning today for the next 2 weeks, the city is taking a pause from any sort of engagement on any platform of social media," the mayor said.
Why it matters: The suspension affects how the city will share routine updates and event information. During the pause the mayor said the city will publish information through other channels, including the Laurens County Advertiser, the GoLaurens community site, and the City of Laurens website, and that staff had updated the website with information residents would otherwise have received via social media.
Councilor Sullivan briefly endorsed the approach during the meeting, saying "Good recommendation." The mayor urged residents and organizations to consider stepping away from social media as well and to use the time to connect with neighbors and support local businesses.
The announcement was presented as an administrative direction from the mayor and city departments, not as a council motion or ordinance. The mayor said regular city business will continue as normal and provided the city hall phone number (864-984-3933) for those who cannot access online information.
The mayor cited a planned community emergency-preparedness meeting on Sept. 23 at The Ridge where Lawrence County Emergency Management Director Sonny Lehi will present on FEMA resources and emergency protocols; the mayor framed that event as part of local steps to improve community resilience.
The city said it will reassess the social media pause after two weeks. No formal council vote was recorded on the pause during the meeting.
