My name is Medusa and I come from London but I am originally from Spain and France. I started camping in late May but I have taken some time to go back home to keep my life on track a few times.

I first heard about HS2 Rebellion from other friends that were already there and my first impression was “why is building more public transport a bad idea?” haha. Oh, how naive I was about the bullshit of HS2.

It doesn’t take long for you to find out that it does more harm than good. And it is shocking to find out things like the fact that it is not a railway for “the public”, it’s for the richest class. That harms the environment more than any other train. That there’s already a train with the same route. That they didn’t ask for permission to use our taxes on this project.
That is why I am fighting today. Because they are going to contaminate our water. Because it’s not investing in the north, it’s investing in London. It’s kicking people out of their homes so they can build the tracks. Because they are not following COVID-19 regulations and putting everyone’s health at risk. Because they are seriously abusing protesters.
HS2 does not use reasonable force against protesters. They don’t have the appropriate licenses when felling trees. They don’t follow safety procedures either. And it is so hard and challenging seeing your friends be attacked and hurt and abused for fighting for their future. It is hard to try and talk facts with HS2 workers when you’re internally screaming and all they say is “I don’t believe in climate change it’s all a big brain wash”.
The climate and ecological emergency is a day to day issue that we all face unknowingly when we complain about how hot the weather is or when just stop for one second and realise that the deaths have already started. All the people. All the habitats. All our homes.

I have found in myself a lot more physical strength that I thought I had and somehow learnt to manage a state of peace with myself I had never felt before. I have learnt that trees also have a birdsong and that the sound the wind makes through the leafs its called ‘psithurism’. I have learnt by first hand experience that if you’re there helping the trees they can feel it. And they will help you back. They will calm you down and help you stay grounded.

I have learnt that everyone at camp has a story yet they remain kind and stand strong and it’s a resilience and not an act of stubbornness. People have taught me so much emotionally and practically, I have learnt so much about tree climbing when I knew nothing. About tying knots that I am confident to trust my life with.

HS2 Rebellion is getting bigger and bigger and it doesn’t need to go anywhere from here. It needs to stay here. Continuing to inspire. Continuing to fight. And winning the world with every tiny victory.

Whatever reason someone has that it’s making them doubt wether they should join camp I can assure you that it’s probably not as much of a big deal as you think. We are all here to help you deal with whatever it is. And the trees will too.

Series by @naturegaard