In two crashes just five months apart, 346 people lost their lives when Boeing 737 Max planes went down — first in Indonesia, then in Ethiopia.

The victims were parents, children, siblings, and friends. And now, after years of legal wrangling, a federal judge has dismissed the criminal conspiracy case against Boeing.

The decision follows a controversial deal between the U.S. Department of Justice and Boeing, allowing the company to avoid trial in exchange for a financial settlement and internal reforms. But many of the families who lost loved ones strongly opposed the agreement. They flew in from across the world to ask the judge not to let Boeing walk away without facing a jury.

They were ignored.

We are calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to immediately reopen the criminal case against Boeing and appoint a special prosecutor with no financial or political ties to the company. This is not just about corporate reform — it’s about justice.

Prosecutors had accused Boeing of deceiving federal regulators about a software system that was directly linked to both crashes. Internal investigations revealed that Boeing withheld critical safety information from the FAA — information that could have saved lives.

Letting Boeing settle behind closed doors sends a dangerous message: if you’re big enough, rich enough, and powerful enough, you can pay your way out of responsibility. That’s not justice — it’s a betrayal of the families who deserve answers and accountability.

We also call on Congress to hold public hearings into why the Justice Department agreed to this deal in the first place.

If our legal system won’t protect people from corporate negligence, it’s up to the public to demand better.

The families of the 346 victims are still grieving. The least we can do is stand with them and demand that the truth be heard — in court, under oath, with full transparency.

Sign if you believe Boeing should face trial — not just fines.

Photo: Elaine Thompson / AP File