For Immediate Release
January 12, 2003

THREE PLEAD GUILTY TO EARTH LIBERATION ACTIONS - RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

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.

ELF Press Office
elfpress@resist.ca
http://www.earthliberationfront.com