[news] Three plead guilty to Earth Liberation actions

[ron]

THREE PLEAD GUILTY TO EARTH LIBERATION ACTIONS - RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

For Immediate Release

The ELF Press Office has learned that three self-identified members of 
the Earth Liberation Front have plead guilty to charges of conspiracy to 
destroy by fire vehicles and property used in interstate commerce as a 
result of ELF-claimed actions that took place in and around Richmond, 
Virginia in 2002. Adam Blackwell, Aaron Linas, and John Wade plead 
guilty to the charges separately on December 18, January 7, and January 
12th.

Specifically, the three plead guilty to acts of earth liberation that 
incurred over $200,000 in damages over the course of a one-year period 
which included:

     * damage to the gas and hydraulic tanks of construction vehicles as 
well as electrical systems on those vehicles
     * the defacement of glass windows at McDonald's and Burger King 
restaurants with etching cream;
     * monkeywrenching of the electrical systems, doors, and windows of 
homes under construction in Goochland County;
     * attempts to destroy a crane and other construction vehicles being 
used at a construction site for the Short Pump Town Center;
     * etching "ELF" and "SUV" on the windows and bodies of 25 SUVs at 
the Universal Ford dealership.
     * the destruction of various SUVs, and Jeeps owned by dealerships 
and individuals.

       Sentencing for the three will occur in April, though news reports 
indicate they have already agreed to pay restitution of $200,000 as part 
of the plea agreement.

       Although these arrests will impact the individuals involved, and 
the community in which they live, this does not pose a problem for the 
Earth Liberation Front as a whole. The ELF operates using the strategy 
of leaderless resistance, where individuals and groups who carry out 
actions never know or meet others who may also be active. This means 
that even though one group may be broken up through legal action such as 
this, others involved in the ELF will not be affected

       In the history of the ELF, there have been very few arrests and 
even fewer convictions. None of these law-enforcement actions have put 
an end to the Earth Liberation Front in North America, which in 2003 had 
a record-setting year in terms of total property damage.

       The ELF Press Office supports those who are facing repression at 
the hands of state and federal law enforcement and is available for 
e-mail interviews concerning this matter.

       The Earth Liberation Front is an international underground 
organization that uses direct action in the form of economic sabotage to 
stop the destruction of the natural environment. Since 1997, the ELF in 
North America has caused over $100 million in damages to entities who 
profit from the destruction of life and the planet.

       The Earth Liberation Front Press Office is an autonomous entity 
that serves to publicize news and actions of the ELF, as reported 
through news media or by anonymous communications from the individuals 
involved in activities.

       -30-

       Contact:
       North American Earth Liberation Front Press Office
       elfpress at resist dot ca