Seattle Protests Against Blue Angels Air Show
In Seattle, climate change activists are voicing their concerns about the upcoming Blue Angels Air Show, asserting that the military jets contribute to environmental pollution. Adding to the controversy, a local resident has filed a lawsuit, claiming that the noise from the jets caused distress to her ailing cat.
The Blue Angels, a renowned military squadron comprised of 140 active service members, aim to deliver thrilling aerial performances. They have been a staple at Seattle’s Seafair Festival since 1972.
This week, the Airshow Climate Action Union erected a billboard in Seattle urging the community to “say no to the Blue Angels.” This coalition includes local climate groups and elements of the climate activism group Extinction Rebellion. They have plans for a march and rally on August 2nd, in response to the air show set for that weekend.
The billboard features individuals covering their ears alongside others showing defiance with raised fists. During the unveiling, demonstrators displayed messages like “unarmed sailors” and “no military airshow.”
Climate advocates have called for the exclusion of military jets from the annual event, demanding a thorough examination of military airshows for their potential wastefulness, pollution, and carbon emissions. Aedan McCall, the designer of the billboard, expressed concerns about the significant carbon footprint of the Blue Angels, stating it produces around 670 tons of emissions each weekend. “It seems almost frivolous and showcases a hyper militaristic view of America,” McCall remarked.
Additionally, community organizer Kimberly Larson has initiated a petition for ending the Blue Angels show, which has already garnered over 5,000 signatures.
On another note, a Seattle woman has filed a lawsuit against the Blue Angels, citing an incident where the noise from the low-flying jets allegedly caused her elderly cat, suffering from congestive heart disease, to experience panic, ultimately leading to its euthanasia in August 2024.
Lauren Anne Lombardi, the woman behind the lawsuit, claims that her family was understandably terrified by the loud jets during the air show. She further accuses the Blue Angels of restricting her views on social media, seeking a court order not only to unblock her accounts but also to prevent the squadron from blocking others based on differing opinions.
As of now, the Blue Angels have not commented on the allegations or the ongoing protests.
