A Seattle woman has sued the NavyBlue Angels, alleging that their military jets caused distress to her dying cat.
The U.S. Navy’s aerial demonstration team, consisting of 140 active-duty sailors and Marines, has been conducting performances throughout the nation since 1946. They are set to perform in Seattle at the beginning of August.
A legal action initiated by Lauren Ann Lombardi on Monday stated that the Blue Angels’ yearly air shows in Seattle during August 2023 and 2024 caused significant stress to her cat Layla, who had congestive heart disease, according to a local source.KIRO 7 first reported.
Lombardi stated that the noise from the squadron’s low-altitude fighter jets triggered panic attacks in Layla and significantly increased her heart rate. She was euthanized in August 2024.
“Layla’s last days on Earth were filled with cruel suffering — hiding in fear under furniture as her weak heart fought against the Blue Angels’ constant noise pollution. Layla passed away knowing only fear, when she should have known only love,” the lawsuit stated.
A legal action was initiated against Commander Adam Bryan, the leader of the Blue Angels; Lieutenant Ben Bushong, who serves as the public affairs officer for the Blue Angels, and an unidentified social media administrator associated with the Blue Angels.
When the The IndependentContacted the Blue Angels, a representative stated that they do not comment on ongoing legal cases.
Lombardi also stated that she faced censorship when attempting to express her disagreement with the airshows on Instagram.
She had posted online critiques of the Blue Angels, which contained vulgar language, and she also circulated a petition titled, “We All Want to Feel Safe: No More Blue Angels Over Seattle.”
Lombardi mentioned that her account was blocked by the official Blue Angeles Instagram account after these online criticisms.
“She was stopped from speaking, obtaining information, or engaging in public conversations on the page,” the legal document stated, asserting that it infringed upon her First Amendment freedoms.
The legal action aims to have her account reactivated and prevent the Blue Angels from restricting other accounts “based on their perspective.”
Lombardi is also requesting that the defendants participate in training regarding the significance of the First Amendment.
The Independent is the world’s most independent-minded news brand, offering global news, opinions, and analysis for those who think for themselves. We have built a large, international audience of people who appreciate our reliable voice and dedication to promoting positive transformation. Our goal, to drive change, has never been more crucial than it is now.
