A new law will make outdoor balloon releases illegal in Louisiana, drawing some criticism from community members who say the practice helps people mourn the loss of loved ones.
The Louisiana state legislature passed a bill last week that would ban the intentional outdoor release of Mylar and latex helium balloons starting August 1.
Cathy Toliver, a community activist in Baton Rouge, has participated in dozens of balloon releases, including one for her grandson, who was shot and killed. She says the new law limits how people can grieve.
“What are we gonna do? How are people going to express their grief and bring the community together?” Toliver told WAFB.
“When we are releasing those balloons, we are watching the balloons go up to where our loved ones are in heaven. That’s the biblical principle of balloon releases. And I just think it’s just absolutely evil for someone to say, you can’t do that,” she told the outlet.
Advocates of the new law include the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, which argues the balloons will eventually fall and litter the ground, impacting animals and the environment.
“I think when people release balloons, I think they don’t realize all of the elements of that balloon release. So there are the strings that they held onto the balloons that could become something that strangles wildlife. You’ll see birds trying to make that a part of their nest, and that’s not nesting material,” Rebecca Triche, the executive director of the group, told WAFB.
Those balloons can also end up in marshes, waterways, forests, fields and other places they shouldn’t be. Mylar balloons can also short power lines, according to Triche.
Triche told KALB that wildlife officials are thrilled about the new law and how it will help wild animals in the community.
“We’re thrilled to see this unnecessary harm to animals, habitats and infrastructure addressed through this new law. At the same time, we recognize how important these moments are, and we want to help people honor them in ways that are just as meaningful without putting our environment at risk,” Triche said.
Officials have suggested alternatives to balloons, including candle lighting ceremonies, biodegradable confetti, flower petals or planting trees.
Toliver, the community activist, says those alternatives fall short of what people are looking for when participating in a balloon release.
“What’s the biggest picture? We have so much crime in our community. Why not do something that’s going to bring us together? Yes, I understand the wildlife situation, but mankind is more valuable than animals,” Toliver told WAFB.
The new law will not apply to people under 17 or anyone who unintentionally releases a balloon. Balloon releases held indoors will also still be permitted.
The penalty for violating the law will be a $500 fine and 8 hours of litter-related community service for the first offense, WKRG reports. It increases it $900 and 20 hours of community service for a second offense, and $2,500, 1-year suspension of the offender’s drivers license and 80 hours of community service for third and subsequent violations, the outlet reports.
