Hello, I am @mushrooni and I travelled down from West Yorkshire on the train to Crackley Protection Camp. Ironically I took the planned HS2 route from the north to Birmingham…
So I brought a tent and initially planned to stay for a couple days but it has nearly been a month now!
I joined this campaign to engage with others and take action against HS2. Obviously I’m here to protect and stand up for the trees, birds, bats and wildlife that are being ripped apart and killed, though it’s much bigger than this – it’s about the whole capitalistic project and the system that HS2 is part of and represents. Protectors have been mistreated, harmed and put in really serious situations – the National Eviction Team, HS2 security and police departments are getting away with their dirty work.
I have never felt so much kindness, generosity and openness from strangers as I have done being involved in these communities. I’ve realised how important it is to be around like minded people, working towards the same goal and how necessary it is to be able to stand up to what is wrong.
Whilst at camp I’ve learnt climbing, rope knots, knowledge about different trees, bats, birds and foraging… generally lots of new skills and ideas to do with activism from the legal side to living communally and surviving in the woods!
I lived in a Conifer & Oak tree on a HS2 felling site in a beautiful ancient woodlands for 11 days. My time there was so empowering, waking up each morning above the canapy was one of my best experiences I’ve ever had! Though watching trees being cut down and the emotional grief that goes with that is challenging, knowing I am going to see a whole lot more really saddens me. I feel like it’s my duty to do as much as I can to try and prevent this damaging project before it’s too late, if that means being arrested then so be it! Though there are other roles within the campaign for those that don’t want to face arrest.
Come & join us!! You will meet so many lovely people and learn so many new skills and experiences! It may be hard at times but so rewarding!
