Police move in to arrest veteran eco-warrior ‘Swampy’ at HS2 protest as they demolish treehouse camp after he rejoined green movement with his 16-year-old son
- EXCLUSIVE
- Police clamped down on the protest against HS2 rail line in Buckinghamshire
- Activist, real name Daniel Hooper, has teamed up with an HS2 rebellion group
- They are trying to protect area of ancient woodland marked for destruction
Police in riot gear today clambered up a treehouse where eco-warrior Swampy is protesting against HS2 and broke up the camp where he and eight other activists have been living.
The activist, real name Daniel Hooper, had teamed up with an HS2 rebellion group trying to protect an area of ancient woodland marked for destruction.
However four police officers clambered up to the treehouse at about midday today and began taking it apart.
The protesters claimed two people had been arrested in the treehouse so far and two on the ground on suspicion of aggravated trespass.
Swampy and the eight other activists have been living up the tree, nicknamed ‘The Beancan’, in Jones’ Hill Wood, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, since October 1.
The HS2 rebellion group is trying to protect ancient woodland in Buckinghamshire today
Four police officers clambered up to the treehouse today and began arresting the activists
Police today clamped down on the protest by activists against the HS2 high-speed rail line
Yesterday, his 16-year-old son Rory joined him in the tree-top protest, but he was not believed to be there today.
The son of middle-class Berkshire parents, Swampy became the poster boy for environmentalism after he became involved in the protests against the A34 Newbury by-pass in 1996.
He later spent seven days and nights living in a tunnel dug by campaigners attempting to stop the A30 dual carriageway in Devon in 1997.
In a bizarre statement released online, the Bean Can activists claimed their treetop protest was not about stopping HS2 or preserving the ancient woodland but ‘resistance to government and corporate greed’.
In a statement issued from their treehouse, they wrote: ‘This is a statement from The Bean Can, the last remaining treehouse resisting the eviction in Jones Hill Wood.
Environmental activist Daniel ‘Swampy’ Hooper joins HS2 protesters as they occupy a tree within the boundary of HS2-owned land in Jones’ Hill Wood in Buckinghamshire today
Swampy and the eight other activists (pictured today) have been living up the tree, nicknamed ‘The Beancan’, in Jones’ Hill Wood, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, since October 1
Eco activists have been camped out in the treehouse in Buckinghamshire, pictured today
HS2 protesters occupy a tree within the boundary of HS2-owned land in Jones’ Hill Wood today
The activist, real name Daniel Hooper, had teamed up with an HS2 rebellion group trying to stop the destruction of ancient woodland marked for destruction
‘The Bean Can is occupied by autonomous activists who are not affiliated with any particular organisation.
‘Firstly, we want to make one thing clear: this is not about a railway. This is not even about keeping the trees standing – these treehouses are a symbol of resistance.
‘This is a resistance to government and corporate greed, and profit for the rich being put before people and planet.
‘This is about the state prioritising corporate interests over welfare services and community – HS2 is a kick in the teeth to struggling communities after a decade of austerity.’