Environmental Life Force

Environmental Life Force (ELF), also known as the Original ELF, was the first radical environmental group in 1977 to use explosive and incendiary devices in defense of the environment.

History

The name was founded by John Hanna who was the only member of the group to be arrested and convicted for the use of explosives on federal property. The ELF conducted armed actions in northern California and Oregon and disbanded in 1978 following Hanna's arrest for placing incendiary devices on seven crop-dusters at the Salinas, California airport on May Day, 1977. [http://www.originalelf.org Original ELF] ]

They said that "warfare" designed pesticides were being used on domestic crops, specifically a chemical banned after it's extensive use in Vietnam. A communique to "The Independent" later provided the group with a frontpage story. They also called for above-ground organisations to initiate a boycott of sprayed food and for the public to criticise the process, with the following claim that: [ [http://www.originalelf.com/images/elf%20may%201977.gifELF declares 'war' on pesticides] , "The Independent", May 20th 1977, Santa Cruz CA.]

There was also an article published in "Open Road" in August 1977 featuring the bombing at a paper publishing company in Oregon City. The target was again a company who the ELF claimed were responsible for using a dangerous chemical called Tordon for aerial spraying, used as part of a program in Vietnam and responsible for causing cancer and birth defects. [ [http://www.originalelf.com/images/open%20road%20volume%204.gifELF Guerrillas Fight Ecoside] , "Open Road", vol #4, Aug. 1977, Vancouver, B.C.]

Modern ELF

Several years later, the ELF acronym resurfaced, representing another eco-guerilla entity with similar philosophies, the Earth Liberation Front. There is no link between the two groups and John Hanna no longer advocates the tactics or either group. [http://www.originalelf.org Original ELF] ]

Although not much is known about the early ELF activists, because of their efforts to remain anonymous, John Hanna, who claims to have founded the movement along with other individuals, talks of how he used explosives against a target:

Unlike his former years, he no longer advocates militancy, although does not denounce it, only denouncing militancy that leads to violence. He instead promotes the adoption of legal measures, commenting: "I accomplished more for the environmental cause through my research organization and its spin-offs than I ever did as an eco-guerilla." [ [http://www.originalelf.com/interview_with_elf_founder.html Interview with ELF Founder: John Hanna] , "Original ELF".]

References

External links

* [http://old-elf.tripod.com/questions.html] Q&A with Original ELF founder, John Hanna
* [http://www.originalelf.org/ Environmental Life Force]
* [http://www.originalelf.com/images/elf%20may%201977.gifELF declares 'war' on pesticides] , , "Independent", May 20th 1977, Santa Cruz, C.A.
* [http://www.originalelf.com/images/open%20road%20volume%204.gifELF Guerrillas Fight Ecoside] , "Open Road", vol #4, Aug. 1977, Vancouver, B.C.