View source for Garden Gnome Liberation Front

The '''Garden Gnome Liberation Fronts''' ('''GGLF''') are organizations that claim to stand for the liberation of [[garden gnome|garden gnomes]]. They are often comprised of [[practical joke]]rs who attempt to rid the world of "unjust" imprisonment of gnomes through petty theft or vandalism, usually in humorous or [[tongue in cheek]] ways. Members of such groups are often cited for illegal conduct including theft and trespassing.

[[Image:protestgnome.jpg|thumb|right|A gnome protests in an undisclosed garden.]]

== Styles of Liberating ==
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The most notorious liberating group, the '''Front de Libération des Nains de Jardin''' ('''FLNJ'''), "liberates" gnomes by putting them in their "natural" habitats. This often involves placing stolen gnomes in the local forest or woods with claim tickets (which allows for the possibility of them being recovered by the original owners). 

Another group, the '''Movimento Autonomo per la Liberazione delle Anime da Giardino''' ('''MALAG'''), smashes gnomes "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.

[[Image:Barga gnomes.jpg|thumb|right|150px|European Gnome Sanctuary, Barga Italy.]]

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 [[France|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 [http://www.barganews.com/gnomes/ European Gnome Sanctuary] in [[Barga]], Tuscany ([[Italy]]) (open since 1999) has been a place of refuge for all freedom-loving gnomes.

==Media/Culture Attention==
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Numerous media outlets, such as newspapers and television networks, are beginning to monitor the increasingly daring tactics of the gnome activist groups.

Currently, a spoof editorial depicting numerous stances on the the garden gnome oppression issue is in pre-production.  It will feature gnome rights activists Ryan O'Shea, Nicole Moore, Chris West, and Kelly Derbaum.  It is slated to be the first gnome-liberation oriented psuedo-editorial.

== Missing Gnomes ==
Recently, [http://www.gnomeswithouthomes.com 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.

==See also==
*[[Travelling gnome prank]]<br />
*[[Travelling Gnome]]

==External links==
* [http://www.cnn.com/2000/STYLE/arts/04/12/france.gnomes.reut/ CNN: Garden Gnome Liberation Front strikes Paris show]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cumbria/4263761.stm BBC: Underwater gnome threat returns] Article about liberated gnome settlement in Cumbria, UK
*[http://www.gnomeswithouthomes.com Gnomes Without Homes] A data base of missing gnomes & travel photos.
* [http://www.flnjfrance.com/ The French wing of the GGLF (FLNJ)]- official site.
* [http://www.malag.it MALAG] - official site.
* [http://www.freethegnomes.com Free The Gnomes - Garden Gnome Liberation] - official site.
* [http://gnomeliberation.tripod.com/ GLFNC]- Gnome Liberation Front