Code refresh opponents air AI-generated ad showing woman with a ‘bacterial infection’ from the James River
Publish Date: 2026-05-31 08:29:00
Source Domain: www.richmonder.org
- The Richmond Civic League, spearheaded by former City Council member Marty Jewell, funded a controversial anti-code refresh advertisement depicting a digitally-generated woman who develops sores from swimming in the James River due to raw sewage outflow.
- The League is an ardent opponent of the city’s rezoning initiative, which aims to increase residential density within Richmond city limits. They argue that more housing will exacerbate existing sewer issues that lead to pollution in the James River.
- The advertisement, aired on streaming video websites, mentions the fictional woman recounting a bacterial infection from swimming in the river near Belle Isle in July 2025, emphasizing the pollution problem.
- The group argues that the city needs to address its $1.8 billion backlog in water and sewer system repairs before considering rezoning, arguing the funds aren’t available and won’t likely be secured in the future.
- Jewell claimed the sewage pollution incident depicted in the video is a “true story,” although no specific, corroborating news stories were provided, and no identifiable victim was named.
- The Richmond Civic League insists that a referendum should be held on the rezoning initiative rather than leaving the decision to the City Council, advocating for citizen input on the issue.
- Jewell, citing health issues, was unavailable for phone interviews but provided a detailed, 1,116-word email in response to media inquiries, suggesting but not confirming the video’s origin from Google’s AI tools and did not clarify AI labeling or funding details.
- The League promises continued efforts to empower citizens’ voices on local development plans, although further emails for follow-up on specific concerns like AI use and detailed funding sources were not returned as of publication.
