Earth Liberation Army
Encyclopedia
The Earth Liberation Army (ELA), similar to the Earth Liberation Front
(ELF), is the collective name for anonymous and autonomous individuals or groups that use "economic sabotage and guerrilla warfare
to stop the exploitation and destruction of the natural environment", 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
, three years after the ELF had been founded in England
. 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" by governments, and are also known to also be active in the United States
(See North American Earth Liberation Front Press Office).
Prior to ELF actions occurring in North America a year later, the ELA were the first to pursue an "Earth Liberation" action, which happened in 1995, in Canada. 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
.
that severely damaged the resort in the Colorado Rockies costing $12 million in damages.
Earth Liberation Front
The Earth Liberation Front , also known as "Elves" or "The Elves", is the collective name for autonomous individuals or covert cells who, according to the ELF Press Office, use "economic sabotage and guerrilla warfare to stop the exploitation and destruction of the environment".The ELF was founded...
(ELF), is the collective name for anonymous and autonomous individuals or groups that use "economic sabotage and guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare and refers to conflicts in which a small group of combatants including, but not limited to, armed civilians use military tactics, such as ambushes, sabotage, raids, the element of surprise, and extraordinary mobility to harass a larger and...
to stop the exploitation and destruction of the natural environment", commonly known as ecotage
Ecotage
Ecotage is a portmanteau of the "eco-" prefix and "sabotage". Ecotage is often used as a descriptive term for the direct actions of environmental groups such as Earth First! and similar groups throughout the Western world. The term is only applied for actions of sabotage committed within the...
or monkeywrenching. The name was first used in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, in 1995, which was the first Earth liberation
Earth liberation
Earth liberation has no universal understanding as a concept, as it is much considered to be a part of radical environmentalism, or as a militant off-shoot, favouring instead radical and revolutionary environmentalism.-History:...
direct action
Direct action
Direct action is activity undertaken by individuals, groups, or governments to achieve political, economic, or social goals outside of normal social/political channels. This can include nonviolent and violent activities which target persons, groups, or property deemed offensive to the direct action...
in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, three years after the ELF had been founded in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The ELA is also a leaderless movement
Leaderless resistance
Leaderless resistance, or phantom cell structure, is a political resistance strategy in which small, independent groups , including individuals , challenge an established adversary such as a government. Leaderless resistance can encompass anything from non-violent disruption and civil disobedience...
, although in contrary to the ELF, the first group did not publish any guidelines. The ELA are considered to be "eco-terrorists" by governments, and are also known to also be active in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(See North American Earth Liberation Front Press Office).
Origins and philosophy
- Further information: Earth Liberation FrontEarth Liberation FrontThe Earth Liberation Front , also known as "Elves" or "The Elves", is the collective name for autonomous individuals or covert cells who, according to the ELF Press Office, use "economic sabotage and guerrilla warfare to stop the exploitation and destruction of the environment".The ELF was founded...
, Earth liberationEarth liberationEarth liberation has no universal understanding as a concept, as it is much considered to be a part of radical environmentalism, or as a militant off-shoot, favouring instead radical and revolutionary environmentalism.-History:...
and Radical environmentalismRadical environmentalismRadical environmentalism, is a grassroots branch of the larger environmental movement that emerged out of an ecocentrism-based frustration with the co-option of mainstream environmentalism...
Prior to ELF actions occurring in North America a year later, the ELA were the first to pursue an "Earth Liberation" action, which happened in 1995, in Canada. Because of the wave of ELF actions that was occurring across Europe, they were considered by the European Elves
Earth Liberation Front
The Earth Liberation Front , also known as "Elves" or "The Elves", is the collective name for autonomous individuals or covert cells who, according to the ELF Press Office, use "economic sabotage and guerrilla warfare to stop the exploitation and destruction of the environment".The ELF was founded...
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
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
.
Actions
The name was not commonly known by environmental activists until in 1998, when the ELA claimed the arson at Vail ResortsVail Resorts
Vail Resorts, Inc. runs four ski resorts in Colorado, as well as two in Lake Tahoe and a summer resort in Wyoming. They also own luxury resort hotels throughout the United States. The company trades on the New York Stock Exchange, symbol MTN...
that severely damaged the resort in the Colorado Rockies costing $12 million in damages.