Garden Gnome Liberation Front
2007 Schools Wikipedia Selection. Related subjects: Animal & Human Rights
Liberators
The Garden Gnome Liberation Fronts (GGLF) are international organizations that stand for the liberation of garden gnomes. These so-called "liberation groups"—which can be seen as cults or simply groups of practical jokers—attempt to rid the world of "unjust" imprisonment of gnomes. They are often cited for illegal conduct including theft and trespassing.
Styles of Liberating
The most notorious liberating group, the Front de Libération des Nains de Jardin (FLNJ), liberates their gnomes by putting them in their natural habitat. This means sticking them in the local forest with claim tickets. Another notable group, the Movimento Autonomo per la Liberazione delle Anime da Giardino (MALAG), smashes them "to release the gnome spirit." This group is extremely organized and carries out their work with ease. A locally run grassroots group in Corvallis, Oregon gives the owner of the gnome a letter explaining the cruelty and gives the owner a chance to hand the gnome over.
A separate but related group, Free The Gnomes, is the legitimate political wing of the subversive Garden Gnome Liberation Front. As a political advocacy group, they seek to further the rights of gnomes around the world through legal, non-violent means. The largest of these groups is the French Mouvement d´Émancipation des Nains de Jardin (MENJ). The fundamental premise of this group and most Garden Gnome Liberation groups is that gnomes, like humans, have an inalienable right to freedom. These groups claim that forcing gnomes to stand in gardens without just compensation, against their free will and for the sake of ornamentation is immoral. The European Gnome Sanctuary in Barga, Tuscany (Italy) (open since 1999) has been a place of refuge for all freedom-loving gnomes.
Missing Gnomes
Recently, Gnomes Without Homes was created as an international database of missing gnomes. The site allows people looking for wayward gnomes to post photos and information that might lead to their return. In addition, Gnomes Without Homes allows gnome-gnappers to post travel photos and information on gnomes that have been abducted.