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What is the Earth Liberation Front?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

The Earth Liberation Front (ELF) is a radical activist group which performs acts of ecotage in an attempt to put a stop to the exploitation of the environment. In the United States, the ELF has been classified as a serious domestic terror threat by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, thanks to its aggressive tactics. Supporters of the group believe that it is hitting industry where it hurts, forcing people to reevaluate their relationship with the environment. Others condemn the actions of the Earth Liberation Front, pointing out that the organization is often grouped with peaceful, non-violent environmental groups by association, thus weakening the overall cause.

In 1992, a group of breakaway Earth First! members in England founded the Earth Liberation Front, arguing that it was time for direct action to be used in the environmental movement. They modeled the ELF after the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), an activist group which claims to promote animal rights through direct action and sabotage. The founders put forward the Earth Liberation Front as an alternative to Earth First! membership for people who felt that the organization was not doing enough on behalf of the environment.

The Earth Liberation Front takes action against corporations that profit from exploiting the environment, such as logging companies.
The Earth Liberation Front takes action against corporations that profit from exploiting the environment, such as logging companies.

Like the ALF, the ELF lacks formal leadership, and consists of a large and disparate group of members all over the world. Some members act entirely independently, while others band together in cells to perform acts of coordinated sabotage. Depending on the region, ELF members may engage in subtle covert operations, or showy acts of sabotage which are designed to attract attention. One of the more spectacular Earth Liberation Front actions was the 1998 firebombing of a recently expanded ski lodge in Vail, Colorado.

Members of the Earth Liberation Front are passionate about preserving natural resources.
Members of the Earth Liberation Front are passionate about preserving natural resources.

The organization has three guiding principles. The first is that members must be committed to inflicting serious economic damage to individuals and corporations which profit from environmental exploitation such as logging, mining, trapping, and development, among many others. The second goal of the group is to alert the general public to serious emerging environmental issues and threats. Finally, members of ELF are expected to undertake actions without threat to life.

Critics of the organization have pointed out that some of its direct actions have actually harmed the environment, rather than helping it. In addition, the organization's regard for the sanctity of life started to decline rapidly in the early 2000s, with the group essentially declaring war on developers and urban sprawl in press releases. Some Earth Liberation Front members have indicated that they will not hesitate to injure people who exploit the environment, despite the fact that this is in direct conflict with the stated goals of the organization.

In the United States, ELF activists have been heavily pursued and prosecuted, where possible. Some radical environmentalists refer to the growing pursuit of radical activists as the “green scare,” suggesting that the American government is trying to frighten the general public with horror stories about the environmental movement. Given the decentralized nature of the Earth Liberation Front, law enforcement has had trouble with trying to put a stop to ELF actions, since more cells quickly rise up when one cell is taken down.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Earth Liberation Front (ELF)?

The Earth Liberation Front, commonly referred to as ELF, is an international underground movement. It consists of autonomous groups of people who take direct action, often illegal, to stop what they perceive as threats to the natural environment. Their actions range from economic sabotage to destruction of property, aimed at entities they believe are harming the earth.

When was the Earth Liberation Front founded?

The ELF was founded in 1992 in Brighton, England, by activists who were frustrated with what they saw as the slow pace of change achieved by legal environmental advocacy. They were inspired by the more radical tactics of the Earth First! movement and sought to escalate their direct action approach to environmental protection.

What kind of activities does the ELF engage in?

ELF activities are typically clandestine and can include arson, vandalism, and other forms of property destruction. Their targets are usually companies or organizations involved in deforestation, urban sprawl, genetic engineering, and other activities they consider environmentally destructive. The ELF views these acts as necessary to prevent ecological damage and to draw attention to environmental issues.

How does the Earth Liberation Front communicate its message?

After an action, ELF cells often issue anonymous communiqués to the media or through their own networks, explaining the reasons for their actions and the environmental issues they aim to highlight. They use these communiqués to inspire others and to spread their ideological message without centralized leadership or formal membership.

Has the Earth Liberation Front been classified as a terrorist organization?

Yes, the ELF has been classified as a domestic terrorist threat by various governments, including the United States. According to the FBI, the ELF and its sister organization, the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), are considered top domestic terrorism threats due to their history of economically damaging acts and potential risks to human life through their activities.

What is the public perception of the Earth Liberation Front?

Public perception of the ELF is polarized. Some environmentalists view them as a necessary radical arm of the environmental movement, willing to take bold actions that others won't. Conversely, critics, including governments and affected industries, condemn their tactics as criminal and counterproductive, arguing that they undermine legitimate environmental advocacy and pose a threat to public safety.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

GlassAxe

@parmnparsley- I do not know if I can agree with your assertion that the Environmental Liberation Front members are not terrorists. One of the FBI's most wanted terrorists is an environmental and animal activist that planted and exploded a number of bombs at two different animal testing facilities in California.

I am not sure if the scientists who worked at these companies are comfortable doing their research knowing that there are people who are trying to bomb their labs. I am not saying I agree with some of the reasons they test on animals, but most scientists hold to a code of ethics and do their work to improve the lives of people. Without animal testing, a number of medical procedures that save lives would never make it to market.

Alchemy

@parmnparsley- I find fringe activist movements fascinating as well. It amazes me how people can become so passionate about something that they disregard rationale and act in dangerous manners.

After reading this article, I went to the Earth Liberation Front Website and was surprised to find that there seemed to be a lot of animosity towards other members and competing organizations under the same name. The website was essentially one long, incoherent rant that made the author seem very angry. It seems like the organization is crumbling from the inside out, with members turning against other members and turning them in to the authorities.

parmnparsley

After reading this article, I was interested to learn a little more about the movement. I am against much of the damage done to the planet by unethical companies and governments, but I am not sure if I support causing economic harm through dangerous means. There has to be a better way to gain support for a pro-planet movement than bombing and burning polluters. The latter seems like it would have a polarizing effect, pushing supporters of the Earth Liberation Movement farther to the fringes.

On the other hand, I do not think I would consider what they do as eco-terrorism because their intent is not to do harm to people, and they do not look to incite fear into the victims of their actions. All their actions accomplish is to try to make environmentally degrading actions economically impossible. I do not believe that what the ELF does is right, but I do not go so far as to call them terrorists.

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    • The Earth Liberation Front takes action against corporations that profit from exploiting the environment, such as logging companies.
      By: Lars Johansson
      The Earth Liberation Front takes action against corporations that profit from exploiting the environment, such as logging companies.
    • Members of the Earth Liberation Front are passionate about preserving natural resources.
      By: ueuaphoto
      Members of the Earth Liberation Front are passionate about preserving natural resources.