HS2: Swampy Teenage Son leaves Euston Tunnels after 22 days underground | UK News
Swampy’s teenage son, a famous environmental activist, left a tunnel beneath Euston Station after 22 days of protest.
Rory Hopper, 16, left the tunnels network Wednesday morning after spending three weeks underground protesting at HS2 Redevelopment of Euston Square Gardens, London.
The teen, said to be the youngest person to participate, is the 47-year-old son of veteran activist Dan Hopper.
Hopper made headlines in the mid-1990s when he was the last to exit a tunnel during an A30 extension protest in Vermeil, Devon.
Stays in Tunnel network is 100 feet long With a small group of activists from the HS2 Rebellion campaign group.
Rory said in a statement: “After nearly three weeks the underground went up.
“This means that there will be more food for others so that they can resist for a longer time. My father will stay in the tunnel and hold out as long as possible.
“I look forward to seeing my mom. She loved digging and staying underground and I’ll keep protesting HS2 must be stopped.
“Young people like me need to take action to stop perpetrating environmental genocide through projects like HS2 because we are in an environmental emergency and our future is at stake.
“Digging the tunnel may seem very difficult, but it may be the only way.”
HS2 said on Wednesday morning that the teen was taken on a stretcher and was assessed by paramedics.
“He will be handed over to the capital police,” a spokeswoman said.
The tunnels dug by protesters were secretly discovered on January 26.
HS2 Rebellion argues that many ancient forests will be destroyed by a wider high-speed rail project. In response, HS2 says it is planting seven million new trees.
Last week, protesters lost an attempt by the Supreme Court to derail the process to push them away.
A HS2 spokesperson said: “The safety of these trespassing and the safety of HS2 personnel and emergency service personnel in this process are of the utmost importance.
“We continue to do everything in our power to safely end this illegal act, and we reiterate our message to those working underground to comply with the court order and exit the tunnel immediately – for their safety and for the safety of HS2 personnel, agents and emergency service personnel involved in the process.”
Mr. Hopper said earlier that he “couldn’t be more proud” than his son for choosing to join the sit-in, after he helped the group dig tunnels in secret.
Rory’s mother expressed her pride in her son and the other youths who “stood by what they believed with courage and conviction.”
She added, “Participating in the protest was a great experience for Rory … I think he looks forward to some home-cooked food and time spent at home.”
Sunday evening, 46 years old HS2 demonstrator Scott “Scotty” Brian mutinies, Also known as Digger Down, left the tunnels and police escorted him away.
In a Facebook post, Scottie said he chose to voluntarily leave the tunnels after 19 days in order to “relieve pressure on resources (and) allow others to stay longer.”
The 46-year-old, from West Drayton, west London, will appear in Uxbridge First Instance Court next week, charged with failing to comply with a community order.