Earth Liberation Front Communiques

We include in this anthology the following Earth Liberation Front communiques, along with the official ELF introduction to its philosophy, ELF guidelines, and an interview with an anonymous ELF member. We include these communiques not because we favor or support the ELF more than other revolutionary groups, but because as yet this is the most complete collection of communiques available, one that has not been published together and is not presently available on the Internet. As these communiques are important for scholarly research and activist reflection, this text has historical and political significance. We gratefully acknowledge the ELF Press Office, which gave us these communiques to publish here.

About the E.L.F

The Earth Liberation Front is an international underground movement consisting of autonomous groups of people who carry out direct action according to the KTF guidelines. Since 1997, E.L.F. cells have carried out dozens of actions resulting in close to $100 million in damages.

Modeled after the Animal Liberation Front, the E.L.F. is structured in such a way as to maximize effectiveness. By operating in cells (small groups that consist of one to several people), the security of group members is maintained. Each cell is anonymous not only to the public but also to one another. This decentralized structure helps keep activists out of jail and free to continue conducting actions.

As the E.L.F. structure is non-hierarchical, individuals involved control their own activities. There is no centralized organization or leadership tying the anonymous cells together. Likewise, there is no official “membership.” Individuals who choose to do actions under the banner of the E.L.F. are driven only by their personal conscience or decisions taken by their cell while adhering to the stated guidelines.

Who are the people carrying out these activities? Because involved individuals are anonymous, they could be anyone from any community. Parents, teachers, church volunteers, your neighbor, or even your partner could be involved. The exploitation and destruction of the environment affects all of us—some people enough to take direct action in defense of the earth.

Any direct action to halt the destruction of the environment and adhering to the strict nonviolence guidelines, listed below, can be considered an E.L.F. action. Economic sabotage and property destruction fall within these guidelines.

Earth Liberation Front Guidelines

To inflict economic damage on those profiting from the destruction and exploitation of the natural environment.

To reveal and educate the public on the atrocities committed against the earth and all species that populate it.

To take all necessary precautions against harming any animal, human and non-human.

There is no way to contact the E.L.F. in your area. It is up to each committed person to take responsibility for stopping the exploitation of the natural world. No longer can it be assumed that someone else is going to do it. If not you who, if not now when?

Earth Liberation Front FAQ

Q: Aren’t there environmental groups to take care of these problems?

A: Yes, but obviously they’re not getting the job done; otherwise there wouldn’t be houses for us to burn down! All successful movements in history have had a variety of methods, from education all the way to direct action.

Q: Are you terrorists?

A: No. We condemn all forms of terrorism. A common definition of terrorism is “to reduce to a state of fear or terror.” We are costing them money. If change falls out of your pocket, you are not in a state of fear or terror. If you give money to the homeless, you are losing money, but you are not being terrorized. Even if your house is robbed, you are not being terrorized.

We are non-violent. Houses were checked for all forms of life and we even moved a propane tank out of the house all the way across the street just in case, in worst case scenario, the firefighters could get hurt. We show solidarity with our firefighters and we are sorry to wake you up in the middle of the night. Don’t be mad at us; be mad at urban sprawl. We encourage all citizens to donate generous contributions this year to your local volunteer firefighters.

Q: Don’t companies have the right to property?

A: We are just trying to cause the rich sprawl corporations enough money so they stop destroying the planet, and thus the health, well being, and existence of humankind. Corporations do not have rights. Humans do. Corporations lost their “right” to property the second the earth10 inhabitants lost their freedom to life and happiness. Cancer is not happiness. Dead animals are not life. Polluted air and mudslides affect people’s lives. Property is theft.

Q: Why don’t you use legal methods?

A: They don’t work as well. Mahatma Gandhi disobeyed the law to free his people. Harriet Tubman used illegal methods to free slaves on the underground railroad. Nelson Mandela even used violent methods to end the Apartheid. John Brown killed slave owners and raided a federal arsenal to try to start a slave revolt.

How many successful movements in history can you think of off the top of your head that came about only by education? How do you “protest” against slavery? Holding signs and handing out flyers on southern plantations? Today, these “unlawful” people are all seen as martyrs, and someday we will too. Try to realize this NOW. Not all laws are just. Malcolm X says “By Any Means Necessary” in order to obtain freedom.

But, we do not hurt people, we never have in our long history, and we never will. We respect all life, even our worst enemies that give us cancerous drinking water. (If someone is going to shoot you in the back six times, do you nicely, kindly ask him to shoot you only three or four times? No, you freakin’ turn around and punch them in the face, grab the gun from them, and shove it up their ass!)

The Earth isn’t dying; it’s being killed, and those who are killing it have names and addresses.

What are YOU doing for the earth tonight?

No Compromise in Defense of Our Earth!

Stop Urban Sprawl Or We Will.

April 8^th, 1992 — Thorne and Hatfield Moors, UK

All our peat bogs must be preserved in their entirety, for the sake of the plants, animals and our national heritage. Cynically donating small amounts will do no good. The water table will drop, and the bog will dry out and die, unless it is preserved fully. FISONS MUST LEAVE ALL OF IT ALONE-NOW!”

This is why I felt that I had to resort to direct action, causing as much economic damage as possible to their pumps trucks and machinary, in an attempt to slow the destruction down and make it less profitable.

Damage to the various engines etc. is estimated to between £50,000-£75,000, not including lost production.

Let us hope that this helps persuade Fisons, and the rest, to put nature before profit!

March 14, 1997 — Mackenzie River Watershed, OR

Tree spiking at Robinson-Scott timber harvest site in the Mackenzie River watershed, Willamette National Forest. Joint ALF / ELF claim.

Beltane, 1997

Welcome to the struggle of all species to be free.

We are the burning rage of this dying planet. The war of greed ravages the Earth and species die out every day. ELF works to speed up the collapse of industry, to scare the rich, and to undermine the foundations of the state. We embrace social and deep-ecology as a practical resistance movement. We have to show the enemy that we are serious about defending what is sacred. Together we have teeth and claws to match our dreams. Our greatest weapons are imagination and the ability to strike when least expected.

Since 1992 a series of Earth-nights and Halloween smashes has mushroomed around the world. 1,000’s of bulldozers, power lines, computer systems, buildings and valuable equipment have been composted. Many ELF actions have been censored to prevent our bravery from inciting others to take action.

We take inspiration from Luddites, Levellers, Diggers, the Autonome squatter movement, the ALF, the Zapatistas, and the little people — those mischievous elves of lore. Authorities can’t see us because they don’t believe in elves. We are practically invisible. We have no command structure, no spokespersons, no office, just small groups working separately seeking vulnerable targets and practicing our craft.

Many elves are moving to the Pacific Northwest and other sacred areas. Some elves will leave surprises as they go. Find your family! And let’s dance as we make ruins of the corporate money system.

November 29, 1997

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) claims they are removing non-native species from public lands (aren’t white Europeans also non-native?) but then they turn around and subsidize the cattle industry and place thousands of non-native domestic cattle on these same lands…

…to help halt the BLM’s illegal and immoral business of rounding up wild horses from public lands and funneling them into slaughter…

This hypocrisy and genocide against the horse nation will not go unchallenged! The practice of rounding up and auctioning wild horses must be stopped. The practice of grazing cattle on public lands must be stopped. The time to take action is now. From an investigation like the Associated Press’, to writing the BLM, to an action like ours you can help stop the slaughter and save our Mother Earth…

June 21, 1998

This year for summer solstice the ALF and the ELF decided to honor the wildlife of the Pacific Northwest and the forests they call home by having a bonfire (or two) at the facilities which make it a daily routine to kill and destroy wildlife. The arrogant humans who make money by killing and destroying nature would have the public believe that beaver, deer and other wildlife are responsible for the decimation of our pubic lands — not clearcutting! That cougars just trying to survive their genocide — not human expansion and habitat decimation — are the problems! So one tax-payer-supported government facility researches more efficient and economical ways to destroy our wildlife while a second tax-payer-supported agency puts that research into practice. In addition a third taxpayer-funded organization — the State Department of Natural Resources — conducts insect control experiments and genetic research. This action was done in solidarity with Josh Ellerman and in recognition of his courage and commitment to the animals.

—The Real Wildlife Services

June 28, 1998

Minutes before midnight on June 28^th, the building that houses the Mexican Consulate in Boston, MA, was targeted by the Earth Liberation Front. The unjust government in Mexico is complicit in murdering the indigenous population in Chiapas.

Red hand prints, symbolizing the blood on the hands of the Mexican government, were painted on the walls and spilled on the ground. ‘VIVA EZLN’ was spray-painted on the entrance.

Earth Liberation Front disappeared into the night but the blood on the hands of the Mexican government won’t easily disappear.

TODOS SOMOS MARCOS

REMEMBER GUADALUPE

July 3, 1998

Approximately 7 PM, in the evening of July 3 1998 the Animal Liberation Front and the Earth Liberation Front carried out a daylight raid on the United Vaccines experimental research fur farm in Middleton, Wisconsin, near Madison.

Two large holes were cut in the perimeter fence of the compound and one large section of fence was completely torn down. Inside were 3 sheds, one was empty, one containing cages mink and one containing animals resembling possibly the Black-footed ferret of a variety of pole-cat. Neat the sheds were two double rows of cages covered by liftable roof segments. All cages containing animals were opened, some requiring cage doors to be bent to allow for escape. All prisoners were seen climbing out of their cages. 310 animals liberated. Each cage in the fenced in area was numbered and each mink had small black tags on both ears. Light bulbs smashed out in all sheds and a weighing scale smashed.

“INDEPENDENCE DAY FOR FUR FARM PRISONERS” spray-painted on a storage barn. 3 windows smashed alarm to go off and force liberators to evacuate before causing more damage.

This facility also contained fenced in area with empty fox cages. On top of the research building were air ducts and ventilation. This room we suspect is where laboratory tests are conducted on the animals.

The experiments conducted at the United Vaccines laboratories and research farms are solely to decrease “profit-losses” incurred by premature deaths on fur farms. The cause of these deaths can be attributed to the widespread on the farms due to close confinement, malnourishment, poor sanitation and the psychological stress of captivity. The blatant disregard for the mink and fox nations’ well-being is apparent in this industry, which cares only about fur quality and maximum “production” and death.

The Fur farming industry plays a crucial role in the devastation of delicate ecosystems. Fur farm waste run-offs contaminate local bodies of water, poisoning fish supplies and suffocating aquatic plants. Disruption of this balance adversely affects all plant and animal nations and their interdependent relationships with the ecosystem.

This action commemorates the worldwide struggle for independence from occupation and is dedicated to Josh Ellerman for his dedication to defend Mother Earth and her animal nations.

Returning the prisoners back home, the Fur War continues.

—ALF and ELF

October 19, 1998 — Vail, CO

On behalf of the lynx, five buildings and four ski lifts at Vail were reduced to ashes on the night of Sunday, October 18^th. Vail, Inc. is already the largest ski operation in North American and now wants to expand even further. The 12 miles of roads and 885 acres of clearcuts will ruin the last, best lynx habitat in the state. Putting profits ahead of Colorado’s wildlife will not be tolerated. This action is just a warning. We will be back if this greedy corporation continues to trespass into wild and unroaded areas. For your safety and convenience we strongly advise skiers to choose other destinations until Vail cancels its inexcusable plans for expansion.

—Earth Liberation Front (ELF)

October 26, 1998

As corporate destroyers burn in the west, wildlife nations will be liberated in the north…

…the farm held captive many different breeds of mink… many were seen leaving the compound and entering surrounding woods as the liberators left…

This action was done in defiance of recent government repression waged by the grand jury’s indictment of two falsely accused activists from Washington state. The Earth Liberation Front will not be intimidated by this government’s actions or fur farmers’ recent threats of violence against liberators…

December 27, 1998

To celebrate the holidays we decided on a bonfire. Unfortunately for US Forest Industries it was at their corporate headquarters office…

On the foggy night after Christmas when everyone was digesting their turkey and pie, Santa’s ELFs dropped two five-gallon buckets of diesel/ unleaded mix and a five gallon jug with cigarette delays which proved to be more than enough to get this party started.

This was in retribution for all the wild forests and animals lost to feed the wallets of greedy fucks like Jerry Bramwell, USFI president… and it’s a warning to all others responsible. We do not sleep and we will not quit.

December 25, 1999

Boise Cascade has been very naughty. After ravaging the forests of the Pacific Northwest, Boise Cascade now looks towards the virgin forests of Chile. Early Christmas morning elves left coal in Boise Cascade’s stocking. Four buckets of diesel and gas with kitchen timer delay destroyed their regional headquarters in Monmouth, Oregon.

Let this be a lesson to all greedy multinational corporations who don’t respect their ecosystems.

The elves are watching.

—Earth Liberation Front

December 31, 1999

The ELF takes credit for a strike on the offices of Catherine Ives, rm. 324 Agriculture Hall at Michigan State University on Dec. 31, 1999. The offices were doused with gasoline and set afire. This was done in response to the work being done to force developing nations in Asia, Latin America and Africa to switch from natural crop plants to genetically engineered sweet potatoes, corn, bananas and pineapples. Monsanto and USAID are major funders of the research and promotional work being done through Michigan State University.

According to local newspapers the fire cost some $400,000 in damage. Cremate Monsanto, Long live the ELF!

On to the next GE target!

January 23, 2000

Greetings from Bloomington, IN:

The Earth Liberation Front would like to take credit for a late night visit to the Sterling Woods development on the evening of January 23^rd.

During our visit, we torched one house that was under construction. It was completely destroyed. The walls had caved in by the time the fire department had arrived. Damage has been assessed at $200,000. ‘NO SPRAWL, ELF’ was painted on the developers sign.

The house was targeted because the sprawling development it is located in is in the Lake Monroe Watershed. This is the drinking water supply for the town of Bloomington, IN, and the surrounding area. It is already being jeopardized by existing development and roads.

Once again the rich of the world are destroying what little we have left in terms of natural areas and collective holdings (the water). Hopefully they will get the message that we will not take it anymore.

February 9, 2000

In the early hours of February 9 the Earth Liberation Front paid a visit to Green Hall at the University of Minnesota in Saint Paul, MN. The target was trans-genic oat research crops. The research was being done by university professors David Sommers and Howard Rines.

All the oats found in the greenhouse were destroyed, messages were spray-painted and the locks were glued on the way out.

Oat research is simply on of the projects that the university is taking part in, in partnership with gross corporations that are adding to the destruction of life on Earth.

Let this action be a warning to the University of Minnesota and the entire biotech industry that if you continue to destroy biodiversity on Earth your profits will continue to fall.

The elves are watching. Stop genetic engineering or we will.

—For freedom and wilderness, the Earth Liberation Front

March 24, 2000

Over the weekend of March 24^th, maintenance work was done to the vehicles belonging to CS McCrossan construction, and were being used for the construction of the highway 55 reroute in Minneapolis. 4 machines had wires and hoses cut, dirt and sand poured into gas tanks, oil tubes and exhaust pipes, engine parts smashed, removed and destroyed, which has happened several times before and gone unreported.

This site is only a quarter-mile from Coldwater Springs, a sacred site to the Dakota people, and the last source of fresh spring water in the twin cities. After cutting hundreds of old trees and decimating a once wild ares, the road now threatens to cut off Coldwater’s underground source, which has already happened to other springs in the city because of road construction.

Also on 3 separate occasions, large amounts of rock and table salt was mixed into the sand piles being used for cement. The piles are now gone and it is assumed that they were used in the cement building the land tunnel. This is being told because salt will weaken the integrity of cement.

The road is not nearly done and neither are we.

—Earth Liberation Front

April 30, 2000

Greetings,

Early Sunday, April 30^th, the Earth Liberation Front struck again in Bloomington, IN. We entered the site of a massive clearcut on the west side of town, and poured sand into the engines and cut hoses of 6 large Earth destroying machines. We then set afire to a trailer full of wood chips destined to become paper trash.

According to the local paper, the damages cause by our midnight soiree were in the vicinity of $500,000. Not bad for one night’s work, though certainly no Vail. The reason that this site was targeted was the ongoing development of the wooded areas around Bloomington have turned what was once forested land into parking lots, luxury houses for rich scum and expanded roads. The government and developers are mad with greed and there will be no limit to what they destroy until we take away the profit from their schemes. The local paper was right when they wrote that we take direct action when we don’t get what we want through the usual bureaucratic channels.

We dedicate this action to Craig Rosebraugh and other Earth warriors that are being persecuted for their beliefs.

For the wild and an end to sprawl!

—ELF

June, 2000

The Earth Liberation Front would like to make public that we have place hundreds of spikes in trees in the timber sales that are about to be cut on Crooked Creek Road in Brown County and Buskirk Road in Monroe County. These spikes have been placed both high and low in the trees to prevent the cutting of the trees. The trees are now worthless to the mill and dangerous to be cut down.

We ask that this action be widely publicized in order to prevent injury to any timber workers who might be working in the area. It is not our intention to cause harm to anyone. We also hope that this action will discourage companies from buying timber sales in the State Forests. This is a warning to all those who want to turn the beings of the Earth into cash. We are committed to protecting every last square inch of our forests that remain. Too much has been lost, let the corporations beware, the ELF is everywhere.

July 20, 2000

On behalf of native forests everywhere, we attacked the US Forest Service’s North Central Research Station Forest Biotechnology Laboratory in Rhinelander, Wisconsin last night. Over 500 research pine, and broadleaf trees and saplings were cut down, ring-barked and trampled. Additionally, ten Forest Service trucks were defaced and calling cards were left behind. Due to an overzealous security guard, we had to make an earlier than anticipated exit.

In Rhinelander, the Forest Service is mapping the DNA of white pine and attempting to genetically engineer them to be resistant to pine rust. Why? To aid industry in creating disease-resistant trees suitable for tree farms that will increase their profits. Despite the obvious threat of genetic pollution by GE trees, these fools, aided by industry financing, prod ahead in the name of science.

Don’t get us wrong — this action is against the Forest Service, not just one particular project or research program. What they do on a daily basis is sheer genocide: putting forth the notion that they are “managing” life, running an asinine timber program that destroys the last of the old-growth and mars everything else, cutting deep into roadless areas in Idaho, spraying biocides like Btk in forests in Eastern Oregon and Washington under the guise of “pest management,” treating wildlife as some numbers on a graph. The list goes on.

On that note we strongly advise or allies to cease their quibbling with the Forest Service over details of their genocidal plans, i.e. roadless policy, promises of no logging on public land etc. The sooner we realize that the Forest Service, like industry, are capitalists driven by an insane desire to make money and control life, the better. Then we can start taking more appropriate action.

As for the feds — we know you are stepping up the pressure by harassing press officers and other absurdities. What you don’t realize is that we are infiltrating your ranks and gathering our own information. We could be that temp worker typing away at your disgusting computer, we could even be your secretary or intern. We are everywhere and nowhere and we are watching.

For wilderness and an end to industrial society.

—ELF, Earth Liberation Front

September 9, 2000

Greetings,

Late Friday night the Earth Liberation front paid a visit to the GOP headquarters in Bloomington, IN, leaving it in flames as we left.

The fire was set as a reminder to politicians such as John Hostettler that we are watching and we will not sit by as they push for plans like I-69. The construction would fill the coffers of multinational corporations at the expense of the environment and working people everywhere. I-69 is just one example of the willingness of the rich to bleed the Earth and the working class to fulfill their money lust.

We have no faith in the present system of electoral politics where every candidate, both Republican and Democrat, is funded with corporate blood money. Because there are no viable options on the ballet, we must find another means of voting. Our non-participation in, and active resistance against this system, controlled by the rich, is our means of voting.

We are everywhere and nowhere.

September 26, 2000

Greetings Allies,

Members of the Earth Liberation Front are glad to announce our late night visit to construction sites along Whisky Rd. in Coram, Long Island, on September 26^th. During the festivities a bulldozer and a house under construction were spray-painted and damaged, and numerous survey stakes “disappeared.” We will no-longer allow urban sprawl to destroy what little of the environment we have left on Long Island, especially so close to a nature reserve. Urban sprawl has lead to the virtual extinction of several animal species, such as the Blue Heron and the Box Turtle, from parts of the island.

So until next time???

—The elves

October — November, 2000

To whom it may concern,

Around mid-October early-November, 2000, selected greens and fairways of Crown Isle started showing signs of damage to the grass plus other damage to the ball washers, etc. Members of the ELF (Earth Liberation Front) took these photos and are claiming responsibility for this action. This is in protest of Crown Isle’s destruction of green space — a home for animals and a great trail system. This action was also intended for further protest by causing economic damage in hopes to delay Crown Isle’s plans for expansion across Ryan Rd. in the form of more upper-class ugly housing and another nine hole golf course.

This development would surely mean the destruction of that existing woodland, an area used partly for cattle grazing. The present development has already upset the water ways around Mission Hill through absence of trees and the destruction of the soil; any more development would do further damage to this ecosystem. Building ugly over-priced development (much like the current Crown Isle) is not worth this cost.

October 18, 2000

Early on the morning of October 18, a small group of dedicated folks walked into the martin State Forest determined to do whatever it took to stop the cutting of the trees on our public lands. The two active cuts had already sliced and diced their way through a beautiful patch of Indiana forest, including some very large, old trees. As prevention was not possible revenge became necessary. The price of doing dirty business in the state forests just went up. But not without warning. In an effort to be fair and give our opposition time to reconsider their wicked deeds, several warning had been spray-painted earlier. They disregarded these well-intended cautions and proceeded with the cut. We were forced to retaliate. Three skidders and one loader were as thoroughly damaged as we could accomplish without endangering the surrounding forest. Hoses were cut, sand poured into engines and gas tanks, seats and belts were slashed and appropriate messages were spray-painted (Earth Raper, Go Cut in Hell, and We are Everywhere). Let all those who would profit from the destruction of our last wild places beware. We ARE everywhere, and we are watching.

This IS a timber war.

—ELF

November 11, 2000

In the early morning hours of November 11^th, members of the Earth Liberation Front paid a visit to the construction sites off Whisky Rd. in Coram, Long Island. This has been the third hit on the construction site and the worst yet. Several houses were spray-painted extensively and had their windows shattered. We here elves are waging an unending war against urban sprawl and will fight to our last breath to protect our environment from greedy corporate interests.

—ELF

November 24, 2000

On November 24^th, members of the Earth Liberation Front did a 4^th action against the construction sites along Whisky Rd. in Coram, Long Island. During the action over 17 windows were smashed along with the spray-painting of various slogans. The ELF then proceeded to another site of urban sprawl in Miller place. They then created some havoc including the decommissioning of Earth raping equipment. On a property sale sign and post that was stuck through a bulldozer, our mark was left,’Earth Not For Sale — ELF.’

—Earth Liberation Front

November 27, 2000

Viva la revolution! The Bolder ELF burned down the Legen Ridge mansion on November 27^th. We know that the corporate developers’ No on Amendment 24 campaign is guilty of a $6 election buyout.

December 1, 2000

Greetings,

On December 1^st, members of the Earth Liberation Front executed a massive strike on a large construction site building over 40 luxury houses in Middle Island, Long Island. During the action an immense number of windows, totaling over 200, were smashed, survey stakes were ripped out of our Earth, slogans were spray-painted profusely, and various other forms of ecotage were performed on the houses. The workers were kind enough to have lined up all their vehicles the day before to facilitate our monkeywrenching. An assortment of equipment from backhoes to bulldozers sustained crippling damage. The final number ranged to a little more than a dozen.

Urban sprawl not only destroys the forests and green spaces of our planet, but also leads directly to added runoff of pollutants into waterways, increased traffic that causes congestion and air pollution, and a less pleasing landscape. These luxury homes are being built precariously close to the 320 acre Cathedral Pines County Park. Long Island has the 2^nd largest pine barren ecosystem in the world. Our greedy and corrupt politicians are more than willing to provide subsidies and allow construction in any area not under current protection by the Long Island Pine Barren Protection Plan.

Our forests also lay atop of our aquifer which provides a large expanse of drinking water that is actually contaminated by pollutants and runoff. We will not stand by idly while our Earth is butchered for the monetary gain and the luxury of the wealthy elite. As long as our planet continues to be raped, we will be out there

We are everywhere.

—Earth Liberation Front

December 7, 2000

At roughly 1:30 AM Friday, December 7^th, members if the ALF and ELF descended upon McDonald’s corporate offices in Haupauge (Long Island). Here we smashed over 10 windows and spray-painted anti-meat slogans against environmental destruction. We will not be stopped…

December 9, 2000

Greetings,

The Earth Liberation Front claims responsibility for the fires that ravages the Birchwood at Spring Lake housing development in Middle Island, Long Island. During the night of December 9^th, members of the ELF crept into the construction site and placed incendiaries in four rows of condominiums. The structures were checked thoroughly for the presence of any occupants (human or animal) before being set. All of the incendiaries ignited successfully and the resulting fires gutted almost 16 nearly completed luxury homes, which were to be sold at several hundred thousand dollars each. Messages denouncing urban sprawl were scrawled on many of the remaining future dens of the wealthy elite. Survey stakes were also pulled up to prevent the planned expansion of the housing development along the boarder of a New York State Conservation Area.

The actions of those who orchestrated the construction are absolutely intolerable, so we are now declaring an unbounded war on urban sprawl. As the stakes of the struggle continue to expand, so will our methods and tactics. Window breaking and disabling vehicles can only do so much, and in a battle with our Earth in the balance we can not hold back or go soft on those pillaging the planet for profit. Hopefully the several million dollars in destruction will provide an unmistakable message to developers that their land rape will now be more costly than ever before.

—Earth Liberation Front

December 19, 2000

Greetings from the front, The Earth Liberation Front claims responsibility for the torching of a luxury home under construction in Miller Place, Long Island on December 19^th. Anti-urban sprawl messages were spraypainted on the walls, then accelerants were poured over the house and lighted. Let there be no mistake that this was a non-violent action and the house was searched for any living thing before being set alight. This is the latest in a string of actions in the war against urban sprawl.

Urban sprawl not only destroys the forest and green spaces of our planet, but also leads directly to added runoff of pollutants into our waterways, increased traffic that causes congestion and air pollution, and a less pleasing landscape. Our earth is being murdered by greedy corporate and personal interests. The rape of Earth puts everyone’s life at risk due to global warming, ozone depletion, toxic chemicals, etc. Unregulated population growth is also a direct product of urban sprawl. There are over 6 billion people on this planet of which almost a third are either starving or living in poverty. Building homes for the wealthy should not even be a priority.

Forests, farms, and wetlands are being replaced with a sea of houses, green chemical lawns, blacktop, and roadkill. Farmland is being bought out by land developers because of their inability to compete with cheap corporate, genetically-engineered, pesticide saturated food. The time has come to decide what is more important: The planet and the health of its population or the profits of those who destroy it.

The purpose of sloganeering is not self-righteous posturing as has been reported, but a direct warning to the Earth’s oppressors. Apparently, Long Islands growing smog and cancerous water is not a good enough warning to those directly responsible for it. The site of this recent action was warned twice of impending actions with the monkeywrenching of several vehicles and spraypainted messages.

It’s time for the people of Long Island to put their foot down and no longer passively tolerate our island’s rape. It is time for Nassua and Suffolk County Police to realize we are but the symptoms of a corrupt society on the brink of ecological collapse. Law enforcement should be directing their time and resources towards the real terrorists. Those who commit murder and thest upon our populace daily. Big business is the enemy of the people, yet most people remain bllind due to the massive propaganda and the power they wield. Every major media outlet in Long Island is in their pockets. The time for action is upon us. We are watching.

—Earth Liberation Front

December 31, 2000

Greetings friends,

As an early New Year’s gift to Long Island’s environment destroyers, the Earth Liberation Front (E.L.F.) visited a construction site on December 29 and set fire to 4 unsold Luxury houses nearly completed at Island Estates in Mount Sinai, Long Island. Hopefully, this caused nearly $2 million in damage.

This hopefully provided a firm message that we will not tolerate the destruction of our Island. Recently, hundreds of houses have been built over much of Mount Sinai’s picturesque landscape and developers now plan to build a further 189 luxury houses over the farms and forests adjacent to Island Estates.

This action was done in solidarity with Josh Harper, Craig Rosebraugh, Jeffrey “Free” Luers and Craig “Critter” Marshall, Andrew Stepanian, Jeremy Parkin, and the countless other known and unknown activists who suffer persecution, interrogation, police brutality, crappy jail conditions, yet stand strong.

Whether it’s denying a prisoner vegetarian or vegan food, phone calls (which is a right), or even the terrorism of the Grand Jury, they stand strong. Oppression of our brothers and sisters will only make us uproot our tactics, by means, frequency, and cost. The more brutality you give our brothers and sisters, the more money we cause the oppressors. Our hearts go out to all of them.

Keep up the fight

January 1, 2001

We torched Superior Lumber in Glendale, OR on January 1, 2001. Superior Lumber is a typical earth raper contributing to the ecoloaical destruction of the Northwest. What happened to them should shock no one.

This year, 2001, we hope to see an escalation in tactics against capitalism and industry. While Superior Lumber says, ‘Make a few items, and do it better than anyone else,’ we say, ‘choose an earth raper, and destroy them”.

—ELF, Earth Liberation Front”

January 23, 2001

Five windows were broken, and 18 vandalized, causing upwards of $800 in damages in the first wave of attacks against corporate sprawl in Louisville, Kentucky. the damage effected two nearly finished buildings including a PNC Bank. The once beautiful farmlands of Eastern Jefferson County, KY, are being destroyed by Earth rapers for corporate profit. This was the first, be it minor, direct action attempt to stop the sprawl. It will be a long fought battle and more actions are planned in the future.

—Louisville ELF

February 20, 2001

The Earth Liberation Front takes credit for torching the Delta & Pine Land Co. Research cotton gin in Visalia, California on February 20.

D&PL continues to pursue its “Terminator technology” despite global opposition to the genetic engineering of plants to produce sterile seeds. Engineering a suicide sequence into the plant world is the most dangerous new technology since nuclear power and needs to be stopped.

We chose this warehouse because it contained massive quantities of transgenic cotton seed in storage. But now, this seed will no longer exist to contaminate the environment, enrich a sick corporation, or contribute to its warped research programs.

After cutting through a padlock on a door to get into the warehouse, we placed 4 five-gallon buckets filled with half gasoline and half diesel in strategic locations. Windows were broken to provide the fire with oxygen and timers were set. Within just a few minutes the operation was complete.

We are the burning rage of a dying planet.

—Earth Liberation Front (ELF) …Terminate D&PL, cremate Monsanto, burn biotechnology…

March 2, 2001

Units 6 and 8 in the Judie Timber sale in the Hardesty Wilderness Area Umpqua National Forest) have been spiked. Also, all survey stakes have been pulled and destroyed on the road cutting into unit 8. We inserted 60-penny nails and 8 and 10 inch spikes both high and low in the trees to prevent cutting of this native forest.

The Salvage Rider sale threatens the Laying Creek watershed, which provides water to the nearby town of Cottage Grove. Scarred early in the century by fire, this vibrant forest provides habitat for rare plants, tree frogs, and elk (which we saw herds of during our excursion).

All responsibility for worker safety now lies with the owner of the sale, Seneca Jones Corporation and their accomplices, the Forest Service.

Cancel this sale immediately.

—ELF, Earth Liberation Front

March 5, 2001

During the evening of March 5^th, members of the Earth Liberation Front descended upon the Old Navy Outlet Center in downtown Huntington, Long Island, NY. We smashed over 8 10’x10’ insulated plate glass windows and one neon sign. This action served as a protest to Old Navy’s owners, the Fisher family’s involvement in the clearcutting of old-growth forest in the Pacific Northwest. These actions will continue until the Fisher family pulls economic support from the lumber industry, regardless of whether with the Pacific Lumber Company or otherwise.

In the past week, Mother Nature has blessed the Northeast with snow, and we are reminded of our brothers and sisters in the Northwest, and their struggle to preserve what Mother Nature has blessed them with, the forests in the land that they call home. We will not sit idly by, and will do our best to amplify their voices, so that their message will get through to the Fisher family in the only language they know — economics.

Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic care not for the species that call these forests home, care not for the animals that comprise their leather products, and care not for their garment workers underpaid, exploited and enslaved in overseas sweatshops. As more and more minds continue to be exposed to the true nature of their greed, fewer and fewer will sit idly by, and the cries of the Earth will not fall upon deaf ears. We will not stop.

Love,
The elves

April 2, 2001

Take actions against globalization now!!!

The Earth Liberation Front has very recently paid a visit to a Nike outlet in the town of Albertville, MN. This visit was in solidarity with all people of all nations to fight globalization, and to support the growing anti-global sentiment. This is also a call for direct action against globalization in solidarity with all of the anti-FTAA actions scheduled in Canada later this month.

After witnessing first hand the treacherous conditions that Nike workers experience daily in Sweatshops around the world, it was decided that no NGO organization could have the immediate impact necessary to end conditions that exist currently at any sweatshop.

Instead, direct action is a more efficient tactic to stop Nike in their footsteps. Unfortunately, due to weather conditions, the visit was short, and although the plan was to destroy the roof, only minor damages were sustained.

Although the roof of this Nike outlet did not go up in flames as planned, this action is still a message to Nike they cannot ignore. In fact, there are only two options for Nike at this point. Option 1. — You can shut down all of your sweatshops immediately, and immediately place all assets into the communities that you have stolen from. Along with this you must close down all Nike outlets, starting with the Albertville, MN, location (You are especially not welcome in this town!!!)… Or, Option 2. — People across the globe will individually attack Nike outlets, as well as retailers that sell Nike (including college campus shops) until Nike closes down or adheres to demand #1.

It is important to point out to Nike that the violence they use against the poor, and especially those that do all the work for them will only be meet with violence towards what they hold dearest… their pocketbooks. All ELF actions are nonviolent towards humans and animals. But if a building exists which perpetrates, and sponsors violence towards people or animals (such as a Nike Outlet, or a Gap Outlet, etc.), then by God, it’s got to be burned to the ground!!! The ELF wholeheartedly condones the use of violence towards inanimate objects to prevent oppression, violence, and most of all to protect freedom. Direct action is a wonderful tool to embrace on the road to liberation.

Sincerely,

Philip H. Knight, Chairman and CEO Nike inc.

One Bowerman Drive

Beaverton, OR 97003–6433

Fax: (503) 671–6300

April 15, 2001

The Earth Liberation Front claims responsibility for the fire that took place at Ross Island Sand and Gravel on Sunday, April 15^th. For many years Ross Island Sand and Gravel has been guilty of stealing soil from the Earth, specifically the lagoon on Ross Island. Further, the recent acknowledgment of the drudging of toxic disposal cells has drawn our attention to the exploitation that Ross Island Sand and Gravel commits against our Earth. In their Easter basket we decided to leave four containers of gasoline and a time delayed fuse packed under two of their cement trucks.

If Ross Island Sand and Gravel mines the Columbia River Gorge, then the ELF will take necessary action. Let this be a warning to all the greedy corporations who exploit the Earth’s natural resources, especially those who plan on doing it under the FTAA and the title of “free trade.”

—the elves and the Easter bunny

May 21, 2001 — Seattle, WA

Part 1

At 3:15am on Monday, May 21, the research of Toby Bradshaw was reduced to smoke and ashes. We attacked his office at the University of Washington while at the same time another group set fire to a related target in Clatskanie, Oregon, 150 miles away.

Bradshaw, the driving force in G.E. tree research, continues to unleash mutant genes into the environment that is certain to cause irreversible harm to forest ecosystems.

After breaking into Bradshaw’s office at the Center for Urban Horticulture, we inspected the building for occupants and set up incendiary devices with a modest amount of accelerant. Although we placed these devices specifically to target his office, a large portion of the building was damaged. This extensive damage was due to a surprisingly slow and poorly coordinated response from the fire department, which was evident by their radio transmissions.

As long as universities continue to pursue this reckless “science,” they run the risk of suffering severe losses. Our message remains clear: we are determined to stop genetic engineering.

From the torching of Catherine Ive’s office at Michigan State University to the total incineration of GE seeds at the D & PL warehouse in Visalia, CA, the Earth Liberation Front is growing and spreading. As the culture of domination forces itself into our very genes, wild fires of outrage will continue to blaze.

—ELF

Part 2

Early Monday morning, May 21, we dealt a blow to one of the many institutions responsible for massive hybrid tree farming in the Northwest. Incendiary devices at Jefferson Poplar in Clatskanie, Oregon, burned an office and a fleet of 13 trucks. Unfortunately, due to a design flaw, one targeted structure was left standing. We torched Jefferson Poplar because hybrid poplars are an ecological nightmare threatening native biodiversity in the ecosystem. Our forests are being liquidated and replaced with monocultured tree farms so greedy, earth raping corporations can make more money.

Pending legislation in Oregon and Washington further criminalizing direct action in defense of the wild will not stop us and only highlights the fragility of the ecocidal empire.

As we wrote in Clatskanie “You cannot control what is wild.”

—ELF Earth Liberation Front

June 13, 2001

To whom it may concern,

During the early morning hours of June 13^th members of the Animal and Earth Liberation Fronts attacked various Bank of New York branches and offices in efforts that massive economic damages will dissuade them from further management of American Depository Receipts belonging to Huntingdon Life Sciences. HLS is responsible for the deaths of over 500 animals daily and hundreds of thousands annually. These animals are murdered in crude attempts for pesticide and pharmaceutical corporations to pursue avenues to legalize their products. Monsanto and other earth destroyers use HLS’ fraudulent practices to place potentially lethal and environmentally hazardous chemicals on the public market.

This is a message to the general public. HLS does not care about the health of people, does not care about the preservation of wild lands and life, and brutalizes, probes, tortures, and murders thousands of lonely, frightened and beautiful creatures.

The Earth will be Revered; We will deliver! These Animals Need Love; We will deliver! HLS must close; and We will deliver!

The following attacks were made on June 13^th:

1. Bank of New York, Huntington, Long Island Branch — Had locks glued and the slogans “BNY Invests in Murder”, “Investors in Murder”, and “ALF” spray painted.

2. Bank of New York, Kings Park, Long Island Branch — Was spray painted with the slogans “Bank of NY Kills Puppies” and “ALF”.

3. Bank of New York, Commack, Long Island Branch — Exterior ATM machine damaged by glue and plastic strips in card slot and glue in keypad. On the building’s side wall the slogans “Investors in Murder”, and “Stop the Torture” were spray painted in bold letters.

4. Bank of New York, Babylon, Long Island Branch — Two exterior ATM machines were damaged by glue and plastic strips in card slot and glue in keypad. On the bank’s main building various slogans were spray painted.

5. Bank of New York, Suffolk County Office Building, Farmingdale, Long Island — Over 25 windows were smashed out and the slogans “ALF” and “ELF” were spray painted behind as a warning that these actions were not random vandalism, they were planned and calculated.

Unless BNY stops trade in HLS’ American Depository Receipts, they can look forward to many more nights of broken glass.

These actions were dedicated to the 130 thousand animals who will perish this year for HLS’ greed, and dedicated to Jeffrey “Free” Luers, an outspoken forest preservation activist, and green anarchist who was just recently incarcerated.

Love, Life, Action

—The Earth Liberation Front
—The Animal Liberation Front

June 10, 2001

The University of Idaho Biotechnology building, currently under construction, was targeted in the early hours of the morning on June 10^th by a cell of the Earth Liberation Front calling themselves the Night Action Kids. Survey stakes were removed and the exterior of the new building painted with such sentiments as ‘NO GE!’ and ‘Go Organic’.

This is the second action against the Biotechnology building. The first of which individuals entered the building and caused an unknown amount of damage.

An anonymous ELF Night Action Kid compares research in Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology to the scientific studies which lead to the creation of the nuclear bomb. ‘Biotechnological research may be intended for good ends by the scientist, as was nuclear research, but in our free enterprise police state society it will be used almost solely for greed and control. With Genetic Engineering we are creating another bomb.’

Monsanto and other large corporations are patenting seeds and forcing farmers to sign contracts that they will continue buying these GE, and many times pesticide resistant, seeds from the same corporation year after year, effectively taking control over our food sources. Genetically Engineered food on our grocery store shelves is not labeled as such, so the individual does not know what he or shi is eating. Genetically Engineered fish are escaping into the wild populations with the chance of killing off the entire species. Genetic testing for predisposition to certain diseases, such as cancer, may soon keep you and your children from getting insurance or a job.

GE corporations and their supporters have claimed that we [anti-GE activists] are using scare tactics to further our viewpoint. The fact is that Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering are scary prospects when placed in the hands of large corporations who care only about profits and not about the health and safety of the people, or the effects they are having on the environment. Through the University of Idaho Biotechnology Program we are teaching our children to work in a field which is developing faster than its effects, both physically and ethically, can be monitored and has the potential for causing catastrophic harm to all humans and the planet,’ claims another Night Action Kid, who continues, ‘Get Biotech out of Moscow! It is not wanted in our community.’

July 27, 2001

We are claiming responsibility for spiking 60-penny nails high and low into hundreds of trees in Units 5, 6, and 7 of the Upper Greenhorn Timber Sale in the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This timber sale contains 99 acres of old growth and is home to at least 3 pairs of spotted owls, grizzly bear, lynx, wolf, goshawk, just to name a few of its many inhabitants. This is truly a beautiful area, unfortunately one of the last of its kind because of the system we all live under.

We want to be clear that all oppression is linked, just as we are all linked, and we believe in a diversity of tactics to stop earth rape and end all domination. Together we can destroy this patriarchal nightmare, which is currently in the form of techno-industrial global capitalism. We desire an existence in harmony with the wild based on equality, love, and respect. We stand in solidarity with all resistance to this system, especially those who are in prison, disappeared, raped, tortured….we are all survivors and will not stop!!!

The forest service was notified of this action BEFORE this year’s logging season so we could take all precautions to assure worker safety. We must ask why they never made this public. We were trying to let them cancel this sale quietly. However, as bosses jeopardize worker’s lives every day we realized we needed to make this public. Also, as repression against us increases, such as the recent laws in Oregon, we promise to be even stronger and encourage others to join us.

We are everywhere and nowhere. We are your parents and your children. We are alive!!!

Please do not label us…We are anonymous.

October 17, 2001 — Corvallis, California

In opposition to the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) continued war against the Earth — the Earth Liberation Front targeted the Wild Horse Holding Facility in Corvallis, California on October 17^th, 2001. For years, the BLM has rounded up thousands of wild horses and burros to clear public land for grazing cattle. Many of these wild animals are sent to slaughter.

We cut through and removed four 60 foot sections of wooden fence to corrals holding more than 200 wild horses in order to free them from captivity.

After moving domestic horses to a safe distance we set four timed incendiary devices aimed at destroying two barns, two vehicles and one office building.

In the name of all that is wild we will continue to target industries and organizations that seek to profit by destroying the Earth.

—Earth Liberation Front

November 5, 2001

Hello;

This is a communique from a nameless Earth Liberation Front Cell. We claim no issue or area as our own, we just act. This is to announce we have spiked countless trees in the Otter Wing Timber Sale, located in the Nez Perce National Forest.

For too long, the forests of Central and North Idaho have been under assault from industrial forestry. The Boise, Payette, Clearwater, Idaho Panhandle, and Nez Perce are some of the National Forests in Idaho that have been scarred from excessive logging. The timber sale program — nothing but a financial drain as well as a ecological disaster — must end.

The Otter Wing Timber sale has destroyed a once pristine ecosystem on the South Fork of the Clearwater River. It is an area which hosted abundant wildlife, such as fish, birds, mammalian predators, ungulates and a beautiful mosaic of different forest vegetative patterns. Now most of that area has been logged-aside from the spiked units.

We are serious. This is our first act of sabotage in Idaho. We may feel compelled to act again. The forest service of Idaho should know that has long as they continue to destroy Idaho’s last remaining wildlands, they risk action on behalf of the E.L.F.

January 26, 2002 — St. Paul, MN

The construction site for the new Microbial and Plant Genomics Research Center at the University of Minnesota had incendiaries left in the main trailer and two pieces of heavy machinery, including a bulldozer. Heavy damage was caused to the machinery and trailer by the fire, which then spread to the adjacent Crop Research building.

The construction of this research building is being funded by biotech giant Cargill Corporation who develop, patent, and market genetically modified crops, making people dependent on GE foods. We are fed up with capitalists like Cargill and major universities like the U of M have who have long sought to develop and refine technologies which seek to exploit and control nature to the fullest extent under the guise of progress. Biotechnology is only one new expression of this drive.

For the end of capitalism and the mechanization of our lives,

—Earth Liberation Front

August 11, 2002 — Innne, PA

The Earth Liberation Front is claiming responsibility for the 8/11/02 arson attack on the United States Forest Service Northeast Research Station in Irvine, Pennsylvania.

The laboratory was set ablaze during the early morning hours, causing over $700,000 damage, and destroying part of 70 years worth of research. This lesson in “prescribed fire” was a natural, necessary response to the threats posed to life in the Allegheny Forest by proposed timber sales, oil drilling, and greed driven manipulation of Nature.

This facility was strategically targeted, and if rebuilt, will be targeted again for complete destruction. Furthermore, all other U.S. Forest Service administration and research facilities, as well as all DCNR buildings nationwide should now be considered likely targets.

These agencies continue to ignore and mislead the public, at the bidding of their corporate masters, leaving us with no alternative to underground direct action. Their blatant disregard for the sanctity of life and its perfect Natural balance, indifference to strong public opposition, and the irrevocable acts of extreme violence they perpetrate against the Earth daily are all inexcusable, and will not be tolerated. If they persist in their crimes against life, they will be met with maximum retaliation.

In pursuance of justice, freedom, and equal consideration for all innocent life across the board, segments of this global revolutionary movement are no longer limiting their revolutionary potential by adhering to a flawed, inconsistent “non-violent” ideology. While innocent life will never be harmed in any action we undertake, where it is necessary, we will no longer hesitate to pick up the gun to implement justice, and provide the needed protection for our planet that decades of legal battles, pleading, protest, and economic sabotage have failed so drastically to achieve.

The diverse efforts of this revolutionary force cannot be contained, and will only continue to intensify as we are brought face to face with the oppressor in inevitable, violent confrontation. We will stand up and fight for our lives against this iniquitous civilization until its reign of TERROR is forced to an end — by any means necessary.

In defense of all life — Pacific E.L.F

August 15, 2002

Hundreds of metallic and non-metallic spikes have been placed in units 28 and 29 of the Kirk Timber Sale in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The spikes were placed at all levels of the trees. Most trees have both metallic and non-metallic spikes.

The Douglas Fir, Hemlock, Cedar, and Yew trees are an average of 300 years old. The 16 acre grove is a refuge of Cascadian native forest and is adjacent to the Dark Divide Roadless area. It is home to Elk, Owl, and Bear among other wild beings. Logging this grove would require rebuilding a road and replacing a bridge over a major creek.

The Kirk Timber Sale is one of many sales currently proposed in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Industrial logging of public lands is primarily a public subsidy for timber companies. The US Forest Service timber sale program has never been economically viable and loses money yearly at the people’s expense. The main beneficiaries are the owners and managers of a handful of timber companies.

This system does provide jobs for a few local residents, but fewer all the time because of unsustainable logging practices. That short term benefit is outweighed by the long term losses of topsoil, clean water, fisheries, and biodiversity which greatly reduce the chances that local people can make a sustainable living on the land. The timber sale program is the same as industrial resource extraction around the world in that its short term profits are enjoyed by only a few while the costs are felt by all. Acts of resistance like this spiking are part of a larger worldwide struggle to defend land and communities against clearcuts, war, and other acts of greed.

This action seeks to keep these old growth trees from ever being cut. It is not intended to put any timber-workers at risk. This message is being sent out before any trees are felled.

December 2, 2002 — Harborcreek, PA

ELF & ALF joint claim fire at the Mindek Brothers Fur Farm.

At 2:00 AM on November 26, 2002, anonymous cells of the A.L.F. and the E.L.F. visited the Mindek Brothers Fur Farm (4200 Shannon Road) in Harborcreek, Pennsylvania. Before disappearing into the night, a large fire was set which completely destroyed the farm’s feed barn and its contents, causing extensive financial loss.

The A.L.F. is also claiming responsibility for releasing 200 breeding mink in May and 50+ in September from the same farm.

Working together, cells from A.L.F. & E.L.F. demolished this feed facility due to its role in the systematic torture and killing of thousands of innocent creatures yearly—animals which possess the same complex emotional/physiological traits as loved household pets, yet are denied all reasonable consideration and confined to a miserable “existence” in tiny wire cages hardly large enough to turn around in.

Imprisoned in fur factories, these solitary creatures are forced to endure intensive confinement for the entirety of their lives, next to, or not uncommonly, packed into the same excrement and disease-laden cages as their doomed relatives. In their natural state, these animals maintain a vast territory encompassing several miles. However, on fur farms such as this one, most of these semi-aquatic animals “enjoy” less than 24 inches of space, living on chicken wire, exposed to incredible levels of disease, cannibalism, and weather extremes. With what is essentially still a wild animal, these squalid conditions produce a perpetual state of chronic distress, unimaginable to human beings. This stress leads to severe psychosomatic illness, causing disturbing behaviors like self-mutilation, cannibalism, and incessant pacing and scratching in attempts to escape from their prison.

After experiencing the blistering heat, filth, intensive confinement, and other amenities of the mink shed for half of a year, they are either gassed, electrocuted, or have their necks snapped. If they are genetically superior, they often stay on the ranch indefinitely in such conditions, only to be killed in the same manner when they lose their usefulness.

These cells have witnessed all of these things and more just as disturbing, first hand at this farm, and feel that they must pose this question to the public.

Would this deplorable situation be allowed to continue if the animals happened to be cats, or puppies perhaps, rather than their canine relative the North American Mink? Clearly, it would not. Brutality is brutality—these animals are no less deserving of basic “rights” than the animals we call our friends, and the law protects as such. Thus it is, in the face of this glaring hypocrisy, with their very real suffering in mind, that we take the justice and mercy that the law fails to provide into our own hands, and provide it for those who cannot act in their own defense.

The economic value of a dead body or a frivolous luxury item can not be compared to the inherent value of a life—thus unnecessary killing is absolutely unjust. This has been recognized by much of the rest of the world, and in multiple cases, fur farming has been completely banned by other “first-world” governments. It is time for the worlds most accomplished and proven terrorist, the United States, to respond and follow suit. If it does not, this inexorable struggle on behalf of innocent life will continue.

December 28, 2002 — Philadelphia, PA

ELF claims vandalism against new housing development in Philadelphia suburb.

Letter to Editor / Media Release

Greetings. Recently, we visited a housing construction site in Northeast Philadelphia, along Rhawn St., to give a Christmas present to the developers. There, what was natural land—and a home for birds, squirrels, deer, etcetera—is now a sprawling pit of mud. Others’ attempts at stopping this devastation failed; we felt the only thing we could do, and the thing that felt right, was to fight back for those who can’t. So we went to the site and attacked construction vehicles however we were able to—glued locks, sugared gas tanks, disconnected hoses, spray painted vehicles, broke windows. Also we attacked the “sample house” on Rhawn St.-the first house built to attract buyers. We covered the walls in spray paint, glued locks, and broke many windows.

We are not “terrorists.” We are not teenage vandals. We are middleaged, long-time residents of Philadelphia/the suburbs who are tired of seeing the earth destroyed for money. New housing units (and these are “luxury houses,” starting at $200,000) are not needed; tens of thousands of housing units in Philadelphia are vacant, or for sale. There is no excuse for the terrorism of developers, destroying the little bit of natural land left for money.

We will not sign our names, but we want to. If construction is stopped and the woods allowed to grow back, we will turn ourselves in gladly. We pray the destruction of developers in Philadelphialthe suburbs is stopped— and that our kids don’t grow up in a concrete world, built over ashes of the destroyed earth.

“Sally and Peter” Philadelphia/suburbs

January 1, 2003 — Erie, PA

ELF torches Bob Ferrando Ford Lincoln Mercury Dealership causing $90,000 in damages. Specifically targeted were SUVs in the lot.

Communique follows:

At 5:30 am on January 1, 2003, the Earth Liberation Front attacked several SUVs at Bob Ferrando Ford Lincoln Mercury in Erie, Pennsylvania. At least four vehicles were entirely destroyed and several others sustained heavy damage, costing an estimated $90,000.

Despite decades of popular environmental activism, the mainstream environmental movement, which began arguably in the early 19605, has failed in its attempts to bring about the protection needed to stop the destruction of life on this planet. In many ways, it has served only to accelerate this destruction. Its occasional “victories,” reforms, or small concessions, have fostered hope in a means of social change that has proven unable to produce tangible protection of life, time after time.

By focusing its energy on temporary “solutions,” they have altogether ignored the roots of the problem at hand. Western civilization, with its throw away conveniences, its status symbols, and its unfathomable hoards of financial wealth, is unsustainable, and comes at a price. Its pathological decadence, fueled by brutality and oceans of bloodshed, is quickly devouring all life and undermining the very life support systems we all need to survive. The quality of our air, water, and soil continues to decrease as more and more life forms on the planet suffer and die as a result. We are in the midst of a global environmental crisis that adversely effects and directly threatens every human, every animal, every plant, and every other life form on the face of the Earth.

There is absolutely no excuse for any one of us, out of greed, to knowingly allow this to continue. There is a direct relationship between our irresponsible over-consumption and lust for luxury products, and the poverty and destruction of other people and the Natural world. By refusing to acknowledge this simple fact, supporting this paradigm with our excessive lifestyles, and failing to offer direct resistance, we make ourselves accomplices in the greatest crime ever committed.

Time is running out-change must come, or eventually all will be lost. A belief in state sanctioned legal means of social change is a sign of faith in the legal system of that same state. We have absolutely no faith in the legal system of the state when it comes to protecting life, as it has repeatedly shown itself to care far more for the protection of commerce and profits than for its people and the natural environment. Clearly, the state itself causes and profits from many of the various atrocities against life that we must struggle against. To place faith in that same state as though it will act in the interests of justice and life is utter foolishness and a grave mistake.

Therefore, the E.L.F. will continue to fight to remove the profit motive from the killing of the natural environment, and to draw public attention to that which is deliberately concealed from them by the forces that control our lives and destroy our home.

We urge our sisters and brothers-let us strive to become the revolutionary force we’ve always spoken of being, and begin to take the control of our lives out of the hands of those who would destroy us. NO COMPROMISE.

Happy New Year Bob Ferrando!