London: Last tunneller is out!

By: sisulscz - March 1st, 2021  Filed under: Communique

After 31 days underground, Bradley was the last person to leave the tunnels under Euston Square Gardens, set up to resist the construction of HS2.

Their statement today [1 march]:

So in the morning I have my police interview at 10:00 as when I was arrested after exiting the Euston Square Gardens tunnels on Friday 26th I couldn’t be processed or kept in the cells. After not sleeping for the last 10 days I was underground, being severely malnourished and dehydrated on top of having an invisible disability I was subsequently unable to walk or hold up my upper body and head so deemed not in a fit state to be left alone in a cell.

I was discharged to my friends who have been caring for me since. They are the most amazing friends anyone could ever be blessed with and slowly I am building back my strength. I can now walk aided although body is shaking 24/7 and I’ve slept a bit even if broken sleep still very exhausted but am doing much better. Thank you for all the love and support and I will keep you all updated with what happens with police and court.

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London: Euston We Have A Problem – Where Are The Political Voices?

By: sisulscz - February 23rd, 2021  Filed under: Communique

As we face the climate emergency, one of the most disappointing aspects of the last 3 weeks at Euston Square Gardens has been the wall of silence from MPs and Peers, save the very few (thank you Caroline Lucas, Zarah Sultana and Baroness Jenny Jones) who have spoken up in support of the protesters and their aims. We know many more are opposed to HS2, for environmental, finance and governance reasons, but where have they been?

On the converse, we haven’t been short of those speaking out against the protesters.

Public school educated investment banker and now MP for Sutton Coldfield, Andrew Mitchell commented to the Sun Newspaper[1] that Dan / Swampy was being ‘reckless & irresponsible’ to take his 16-year-old son into the tunnels. This seems highly hypocritical, coming from an MP who’s voting record shows he has consistently voted to send British teenagers to fight in wars overseas, and for profits over measures to save the planet,
[Read More]

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London: Latest update from tunnels at Euston Square Gardens

By: sisulscz - February 23rd, 2021  Filed under: Communique

Yesterday, Monday 22 Feb, Larch voluntarily left the tunnels under Euston Square Gardens after 27 days underground!! [Previously on S!N] The tunnels resisting the construction of HS2 have been occupied for almost a month now but strangely (and coincidentally) HS2 only got a possession order yesterday. There are still four people underground and they need our total support! Coverage has been a bit shit and mainly fbook based, perhaps because of mixed feelings about XR, perhaps because UK altmedia sucks nowadays (RiP indymedia).

Like the previous tunnellers who left voluntarily, Larch was arrested and taken to hospital for a checkup. He had court today at Highbury Corner Magistrates and was charged with criminal damage and two counts of obstructing / disrupting a person engaged in lawful activity. He also had other Hs2-related charges added but seemingly nothing related to the injunction on Euston Square. He was bailed and curfewed to an address in London. The trial is set for the same court, 14 July, see you there!

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London: Euston tunnellers update

By: sisulscz - February 7th, 2021  Filed under: Announcement

Today (Sunday 7 Feb) is DAY 12 for the tunnellers. They are still there, deep under Euston Square Gardens, resisting HS2 after the eviction began on 27 January. On Friday, someone about to be cut out of a lockon by bailiffs instead took the lockon and retreated into the tunnel! Yesterday, the person then left of their own accord, having bartered an exchange for for lights, which means in total two people have now left the tunnels (and been arrested). The rest are still underground! The cops are making it difficult for supporters to get close and even fined a member of the legal team who was trying to talk to the tunnellers.

A specialist in tunnel evictions, who spent nine days digging Swampy out at the A30 protests in 1997, said the tunnels are the most extensive since the A130 bypass resistance in Essex which took six weeks to evict. He has seen footage of bailiffs stamping on fingers and trying to bring the tunnel structures down, and said this is incredibly dangerous.
[Read More]

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London: Euston tunnel resistance update

By: sisulscz - February 1st, 2021  Filed under: Announcement

Heading into day six, the Battle for Euston continues. Following the eviction of the above ground Stop HS2 camp, nine people remain inside tunnels below Euston Square in central London, resisting eviction by HS2. HS2 want to evict the camp and destroy the small park to build a temporary taxi rank. The trees have not been chopped down yet because they only got people out of the trees yesterday. The tower known as Buckingham Pallets was dismantled on Saturday. After the taxi rank moves again, the plan will no doubt be to build a shitty expensive cafe and plant a new tree to show green credentials.

The tunnellers are in contact with the outside world and report that Hs2 workers have showered them with dirt and liquid mud, whilst the group supposed to be responsible for their safety are pumping in oxygen which may weaken the tunnel walls. A legal challenge has been launched to ensure the eviction follows legal procedure. There’s been quite a lot of mainstream media coverage so far and most of it is bullshit. The latest thing is that the papers are excited that Swampy, the veteran 1990s road protestor is in the tunnels with his son. He said “We’ve been here five days and they haven’t even cracked the ground to the ground-shaft yet. I reckon we’ll be here for five weeks, or until the pubs are open.” Activist reporting seems to be mainly on fakebook and twatter. Squats are offering support to evicted activists if they aren’t Extinction Rebellion.

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London: Euston Station HS2 protest camp resist eviction

By: sisulscz - January 27th, 2021  Filed under: Announcement

This morning the London end of the ongoing direct action campaign against HS2 received some unwelcome visitors in the form of around a hundred cops, bailiffs and private security guards.

The HS2 rail project has to be the most unpopular project in the history of transport infrastructure. So far the planned high-speed rail link has managed to go over budget by a modest sixty-one billion pounds and scientific studies have concluded that its construction alone will ensure that it will eventually offer no net reduction in carbon emissions. But will increase noise pollution and decrease air quality for well over twenty-one thousand dwellings along its route.

On top of this the project will ensure the demolition of literally hundreds of homes, the destruction or damage to one hundred and eight ancient woodlands along with the eradication of twenty one designated nature reserves.
[Read More]

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UK: Stop HS2 new camp at Euston station in London

By: sisulscz - September 1st, 2020  Filed under: News

A brand new structure here at Euston Square Garden has been occupied by Martin, 19, who’s gone from 2 years homeless to protection camp, church steps to tree top. (See picture)

Who’s joining us? You are invited to bring & pitch a tent/hammock at Euston Square Gardens or at one of the other camps in Denham, Buckinghamshire or Warwickshire (previously on S!N)

Enjoy connecting with nature, swim in the Colne Valley river next to Denham camp whilst helping us hold the sites to StopHS2 or head to the newest camp in front of Euston station …

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