Seattle Climate Activists Demand End to Blue Angels Airshow Over Pollution

Climate activists in Seattle are taking a stand against the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels airshow, a long-standing tradition at the city's Seafair festival. Their primary grievance? The environmental impact of the jets, which they claim spew out a staggering 670 tons of carbon emissions in a single weekend. The Airshow Climate Action Coalition, alongside groups like Extinction Rebellion, has gone as far as erecting a bold billboard with the message "Say No to Blue Angels," while planning protests and rallies to demand the exclusion of military jets from the event.

The Blue Angels, celebrating their 79th year, are no strangers to the Seattle skies, having performed at Seafair since 1972. Their mission is to showcase the precision and power of naval aviation, but not everyone is cheering. Critics argue that the display of militarism and the pollution it generates are a wasteful use of resources, with protesters brandishing signs like "Demilitarize Seafair" to drive their point home.

Adding a personal twist to the controversy, a Seattle woman, Lauren Ann Lombardi, has filed a federal lawsuit against Blue Angels officers. Her claim? The deafening noise from the low-flying jets traumatized her elderly, ailing cat, contributing to its euthanasia earlier this year. Lombardi's suit also accuses the squadron of censoring her critical comments on social media, demanding her account be unblocked and viewpoint-based blocking be prohibited.

While the Blue Angels remain a symbol of national pride for many, this clash in Seattle highlights a growing tension between tradition, environmental concerns, and personal grievances. As the debate roars on, it’s clear the sound of those jets is reverberating far beyond the skies.