Loughborough University Student AI Protest Targets Loughborough Town Artisan Market Signs and Threatens Future Graffiti To Loughborough Town Hall

“Do You Hear the People Sing?” An Anonymous Loughborough Student Protests About Claimed AI Graphics at the Loughborough Artisan Market with a Letter, Graffiti & Threats Of Future Actions

A handwritten protest apearing to originate from a Loughborough University Student "V" has brought together artificial intelligence, graffiti, Loughborough's Artisan Market and Charnwood Borough Council in one rather unusual local controversy.

The letter, signed simply V, says: “we work in your businesses, go to your University & add to your economy.” Its writer objects to what they believe was the use of AI-generated artwork to advertise an event intended to celebrate local makers and craftspeople.

I discovered it while setting off for a much more ordinary Sunday: a bit of music, something nice to eat and some family time with the grandchildren at Loughborough Artisan Market.

As we walked out of Queen's Park and headed towards the town centre, we noticed that two of the large signs advertising the Artisan Market had been sprayed with red paint. Fastened to a nearby lamp post was a handwritten letter addressed to “the Loughborough Council” and signed simply V.

Two of the Loughborough Artisan Market signs we saw marked with red spray paint on 6 September 2026.


Why is a Loughborough University student protesting about AI?

The writer (Loughborough University Student "V") believed that artificial intelligence (AI) had been used to create the artwork advertising the Artisan Market. Their main point appeared to be that using AI-generated imagery to promote local makers, artists and craftspeople was inherently contradictory and didn't support local people with local jobs such as graphic artists.

I can see the irony in that observation. An event celebrating things made by real people being advertised with imagery that may have been generated by a machine is bound to prompt a conversation and controversy.

At the same time, it was a shame to see the local area covered in spray paint in the name of making that point. The poorly written hand written letter also goes considerably further than a simple criticism of the artwork, including abusive language and a warning that other council property, namely our beautiful historical Town Hall could receive “a makeover”.

I'm not taking sides in the wider argument about AI here. I simply came across a curious little piece of Loughborough life and thought it was worth recording as I found it earlier today.

I do not know who V is, but the letter clearly presents the writer, or the group they claim to represent, as part of the Loughborough University student community. It therefore appears to be a student protest, although the author's identity has not been independently verified. Nothing in the letter suggests that Loughborough University itself authorised or supports the action.

The handwritten letter

The original letter was still attached to the lamppost when I passed with my two grandchildren. The photograph is included below, followed by a transcription so that people can read it for themselves.

Please note: the letter contains strong language. Its inclusion is documentary and does not represent the views of myself or CBC Home Utilities. Spelling, capitalisation and punctuation have been retained as closely as the handwriting allows.

The handwritten protest letter signed “V”, photographed near Queen's Park in Loughborough on 6 September 2026.

To the Loughborough Council, we the people are appauled by your use of AI, that is why I have done this. the worst part is using it to advertise the Artisan market. Don't you see the Irony?

I won't even go into the environmental impacts because there is no way you give even the slightest shit, but as a Council you are supposed to work for the people. would it kill you to hire a graphic designer? even if you're just cheapskates and giving money to elon musk was cheaper, I'm sure a zealous uni Student would do it for free, if not just for their portfolio.

this insolence on your behalf will not be tolerated. besides I'm sure the damage I caused was less than what I pay in tax, So get it done better on me. from now on every AI poster will be a target until you learn. or if you [crossed-out word] refuse to hear our message I'm sure your lovely town hall + offices wouldn't mind a makeover.

We are V, we walk past you on the Streets we work in your businesses, go to your University & add to your economy. you will never catch us All.

f**k you, I won't do what you tell me.

Do you hear the people Sing?

With hatred,

V

Then it was on to the Loughborough Artisan Market after I dodged some innocent questions from my 6 year old granddaughter.

After reading the letter and taking a few photographs, we carried on into Loughborough town centre.

The Artisan Market itself was a much more cheerful affair. We enjoyed the music, wandered around the stalls and devoured some lovely sausage rolls in the sunshine before heading home.

Myself and our two grandchildren enjoying a family visit to Loughborough Artisan Market.

It was one of those slightly unexpected local Sundays: a walk through Queen's Park, a mysterious protest signed by "V", music in the Market Place and very good sausage rolls.

And yes, there is one final piece of irony. We used some AI assistance to help turn our photographs and notes into this blog post, then read it, checked it and edited it as humans before publishing it.

Perhaps that is another small contribution to the conversation.

However, it was thought provoking, and made me contrast the personal service that I provide to local residents in helping them reduce their home running costs, Electricity, Gas, Mobiles, Insurance

I'm definitely not "AI" ! 😄
I was born & I have lived in Loughborough all my life.

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I'm a very real person - no AI 😅

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