Earth Liberation Army

The Earth Liberation Army (ELA), similar to the Earth Liberation Front (ELF), is the collective name for anonymous and individuals or groups that use "economic sabotage and guerrilla warfare to stop the exploitation and destruction of the natural environment", [ [http://www.carkeys.co.uk/features/everything_else/914.asp SUV Armageddon Approaching?] , "Car Keys", 29th August 2003.] commonly known as ecotage or monkeywrenching. The name was first used in Canada, in 1995, which was the first earth liberation direct action in North America,"Globe and Mail", Toronto, 12 July 1995.] Best, Steven and Best & Nocella. "Igniting a Revolution: Voices in Defense of the Earth", Lantern Books, 2006, p. 55.] three years after the ELF had been founded in England.Best, Steven and Best & Nocella. "Igniting a Revolution: Voices in Defense of the Earth", Lantern Books, 2006, p. 49.] The ELA is also a leaderless movement, although in contrary to the ELF, the first group did not publish any guidelines. The ELA are considered to be "eco-terrorists" who use violent tactics, and are also known to also be active in the United States.

Origins and philosophy

:"Further information: Earth Liberation Front, Earth liberation and Radical environmentalism"Prior to ELF actions occurring in North America a year later, [ [http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2005/04/314898.shtml Diary of Actions of the Earth Liberation Front 1996-2001] , reposted by "Portland Indymedia".] Best, Steven and Best & Nocella. "Igniting a Revolution: Voices in Defense of the Earth", Lantern Books, 2006, p. 55.] the ELA were the first to pursue an "Earth Liberation" action, which happened in 1995, in Canada."Globe and Mail", Toronto, 12 July 1995.] Because of the wave of ELF actions that was occurring across Europe, they were considered by the European Elves at the time to be "transatlantic cousins", because of the similarity in tactics. The first action was on the 19th June 1995, when individuals claiming to be part of the ELA burned down a wildlife museum and damaged a hunting lodge in British Columbia.Best, Steven and Best & Nocella. "Igniting a Revolution: Voices in Defense of the Earth", Lantern Books, 2006, p. 55.]

Actions

The name was not commonly known by environmental activists until in 1998, when the ELA claimed the arson at Vail Resorts that severely damaged the resort in Washington, D.C. costing $12 million in damages. [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/is_36_15/ai_56063251 waste & abuse - controversy over a temporary dirt road built by Vail Resortsand its effect on wetlands] , "BNet", September 27th 1999.]

References

ee also

*Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network (ELPSN)
*Green anarchism
*Anarcho-primitivism
*Deep ecology
*Ecopedagogy
*Eco-terrorism
*Green syndicalism