A bold new billboard is turning heads near Interstate 5 in Seattle, Washington, with a message that reads: “Say No to Blue Angels.” The sign isn’t promoting a new show or concert; it’s protesting the U.S. Navy’s fighter jet team ahead of their scheduled performance at Seafair, Seattle’s annual summer festival.
Billboard sparks debate ahead of Seafair airshow
The Blue Angels have soared over the city skies since 1972, but this year, some climate and community advocates are calling for a change. Citing concerns over air pollution, mental health and noise disruption, the group behind the billboard says it’s time to ground the jets for good.
The military flight demonstration team includes 140 active-duty sailors and Marines and has showcased the precision and power of naval aviation since 1946, according to their website.
Airshow Climate Action, the group behind the campaign, is calling for the removal of military participation from the annual event. Instead, they want to develop new traditions that align with efforts to combat climate change. Organizers say the airshow relies on fuel-heavy flights that contribute to carbon emissions and environmental pollution.
Billboard designer estimates 670 tons of emissions
Aedan McCall, the designer of the billboard, told The Seattle Times that the Blue Angels’ flyover show generates an estimated 670 tons of carbon emissions over a single weekend.
A Change.org petition launched by Kimberly Larson has gathered more than 5,000 signatures, calling for an end to the military air show and urging organizers to pursue change.
Lawsuit alleges health impacts, social media censorship
The petition comes as a local resident files a lawsuit against the Blue Angels, claiming the noise from the F/A-18 fighter jets triggered panic attacks in her cat and worsened her own congestive heart failure. Lauren Ann Lombardi says the 2024 airshow caused severe distress, ultimately leading her to euthanize her cat in August of that year.
According to the lawsuit, Lombardi also claims the Blue Angels blocked her Instagram account after she posted critical comments about the team. She is requesting a court order to have her access to the account restored.
In her complaint, Lombardi claims that low-altitude flights by F/A-18 Super Hornets over Puget Sound each August produce noise levels exceeding 130 decibels, enough to cause immediate hearing damage, and compares the experience to “state-sanctioned acoustic torture.”
The lawsuit references a 2024 University of Washington study reporting that more than 74,000 residents are exposed to jet noise linked to hearing loss, hypertension and sleep disruption.
“Military aircraft noise is substantially more intense and disturbing than commercial jet noise,” said author Giordano Jacuzzi, a graduate student in the UW College of the Environment.
Upcoming protest
A coalition of local climate organizations, including activists from Extinction Rebellion and Airshow Climate Action, is organizing a march and rally on Aug. 2 to protest the Blue Angels airshow scheduled for that weekend.
