Lynchburg’s Vice Mayor Issues Public Apology to Peacemakers Leader Shawn Hunter: A Moment of Reconciliation and Accountability
A moment of accountability unfolded during the June 11, 2025, Lynchburg City Council work session, as Vice Mayor Curt Diemer issued a formal apology to community leader Shawn Hunter for a defamatory remark made during a public meeting two years ago.
The incident in question dates back to a 2023 council session, where a speaker during the public comment period made a false and defamatory statement about Hunter, who leads the nonprofit organization Peacemakers, a group dedicated to promoting nonviolence and community unity in Lynchburg.
That single statement delivered in a public government forum, broadcast live, and posted online became the center of a legal and personal storm for Hunter. The livestream remained available on digital platforms, continually resurfacing and causing reputational harm.
Hunter pursued justice through the courts and earlier this month, on June 6, 2025, he was awarded $50,000 in damages by a Lynchburg Circuit Court. The ruling stood as a clear message that even public comment in civic spaces must uphold standards of truth and accountability.
Vice Mayor Diemer’s Public Apology
During Tuesday night’s council session, Vice Mayor Diemer took time to directly address the harm caused, stating:
“We want to apologize. Mr. Hunter was subjected to a defamatory personal attack in a public government forum broadcast live and now widely circulated on digital platforms.”
He acknowledged that the lingering presence of the video online had continued to impact Hunter long after the original meeting.
But Diemer didn’t stop at words. In addition to the apology, he introduced a new resolution designed to preserve order and protect individual rights during public comment periods in council meetings, ensuring that future discussions in Lynchburg’s government chambers uphold the dignity of all participants. The resolution was passed during the work session and will be implemented in future meetings.
A Step Toward Restoring Public Trust
For Shawn Hunter, the court ruling and Vice Mayor Diemer’s public apology mark a long-overdue moment of truth, accountability, and hope not just for himself, but for the broader Lynchburg community he serves.
Hunter, who has dedicated years to leading Peacemakers, a nonprofit focused on promoting nonviolence and mentoring at-risk youth, accepted the apology with humility and perspective during Tuesday’s council meeting. While acknowledging that the damage of being publicly defamed, especially in a livestreamed government setting, cannot be undone, he recognized the significance of the city’s acknowledgment and the new safeguards being implemented.
“This is a step forward — not just for me, but for all those who believe in justice, accountability, and the power of reconciliation,” Hunter said. “We can’t move forward as a city if we don’t confront our missteps.”
The combined apology and court judgment, along with the new resolution passed by the council, represent more than just symbolic gestures. They signal a meaningful shift in how public discourse will be managed, anchored in dignity, respect, and responsibility.
Hunter reaffirmed his commitment to the mission of Peacemakers and the work ahead: building bridges, supporting youth, and advocating for a safer, more unified Lynchburg.
🎥 Podcast Clip Here: The Parable of Truth and the Lie – Motivational Interview with Shawn Hunter
In this insightful clip from The Spotlight Insider podcast, Shawn Hunter reflects on his journey, the emotional toll of being misrepresented, and how truth always has a way of rising to the surface. His story isn’t just one of conflict — it’s one of resilience, clarity, and transformation.
What This Means for Lynchburg
In an age where political polarization and public mistrust often dominate headlines, moments like these stand out. A public apology from an elected official to a grassroots leader sends a powerful message: that true leadership includes taking responsibility for past harms, even when doing so is difficult or uncomfortable.
This event also signals a potential shift in how civic dialogue and community relationships can evolve. It models what accountability and restorative justice can look like in practice, not just as abstract ideals, but as real actions that impact real lives and reputations.
Moving Forward
While the lawsuit is now closed and the city has formally addressed the harm done, the deeper work of healing and building bridges continues. Hunter’s unwavering commitment to community-building, even in the face of adversity, remains a powerful example of leadership from the ground up.
Vice Mayor Curt Diemer’s public acknowledgment and policy proposal may serve as a model for how elected officials should respond to missteps with humility, sincerity, and action.
For Lynchburg residents, especially those who have long felt marginalized or misrepresented, this moment may mark the beginning of a more inclusive chapter where transparency, mutual respect, and empathy take priority over political posturing.
Final Thoughts
Reconciliation is not a one-time event. It’s a process. But this public apology and the steps taken to ensure it doesn’t happen again represent a meaningful move toward that goal.
For a city like Lynchburg, rich in history, resilience, and potential, these moments of accountability can become the foundation for lasting change. And in that change, there is hope.
