Seattle Climate Activists Protest Blue Angels Airshow
Navy demonstration team faces opposition over environmental concerns
Climate activists in Seattle have erected a billboard protesting the U.S. Navy Blue Angels' upcoming performance at the annual Seafair festival. The Airshow Climate Action Coalition, which includes members from local climate groups and Extinction Rebellion, unveiled the billboard declaring "Say No to Blue Angels" and citing concerns about pollution and what they term "war trauma." The coalition has planned a protest march and rally on August 2, ahead of the airshow scheduled for that weekend.
The Blue Angels, an elite military aviation demonstration team comprising 140 active-duty Sailors and Marines, has performed at Seattle's Seafair since 1972. According to their website, the squadron aims to showcase naval aviation's precision and capabilities. The climate activists are specifically calling for military fighter jets to be excluded from the annual event, citing environmental concerns about carbon emissions and resource usage. A petition calling for the end of the Blue Angels show has reportedly gathered over 5,000 signatures.
KEY POINTS
- •Climate activists protest Navy airshow
- •Lawsuit claims jet noise harmed pet
- •Emissions concerns drive opposition
In a separate but related development, a Seattle resident has filed a federal lawsuit against Blue Angels officers. The plaintiff claims that noise from the low-flying F/A-18 fighter jets caused distress to her elderly cat, which was suffering from congestive heart disease and was subsequently euthanized. The lawsuit also alleges that the Blue Angels unconstitutionally blocked the plaintiff's critical comments on the squadron's Instagram page.
The billboard designer, Aedan McCall, told The Seattle Times that the Blue Angels create approximately 670 tons of carbon emissions in one weekend, which the activist described as wasteful. McCall reportedly lived on Mercer Island for over a decade before relocating due to effects from the airshow. The controversy highlights tensions between military traditions, environmental concerns, and community impacts as the Navy team prepares for their performance.
The Blue Angels, now in their 79th year of operation, represent a significant military tradition and public relations effort for the U.S. Navy. The squadron did not respond to requests for comment regarding the protests or the lawsuit. The situation reflects broader national debates about balancing military activities with environmental considerations and community concerns.