A VETERAN eco-warrior who made his name during a series of environmental protests in the 1990s is back after joining Extinction Rebellion.

Daniel Hooper famously known as Swampy, became a national figure after living underground for a week in a tunnel protesting against the rerouting of the A30 in Devon.

The 46-year-old, who now lives in West Wales, was also involved in a series of high-profile environmental campaigns, also targeting the M11, Newbury bypass and Manchester Airport.

He has been under the radar for a decade but has now joined Extinction Rebellion, saying the group gives him "hope".

Hooper told ITV News: "My beliefs are the same as they always were and I did have a quiet 10 years, almost to the point where you have apathy towards how we can change things, then Extinction Rebellion started happening.

"You think there is hope and I believe there is hope and now everyone need to think about what we are doing, governments needs to change, companies need to change.

"We need People's Assemblies to decide what to do, this is a state of emergency."

Hooper was yesterday fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 surcharge after appearing before magistrates in Haverfordwest.

He pleaded guilty to wilful obstruction of a highway after blocking a road to the Valero Pembroke Refinery during a protest last month.

Hooper was given the nickname Swampy in 1996 after he became the face of the Newbury bypass protests by living in tunnels underneath the roadworks.

He also climbed trees with other activists to protest about the construction of the new road.

Hooper has now revealed he will be joining at least 30,000 climate change protesters in central London.

Police confirmed they have made 319 arrests for various offences after the capital was brought to a standstill this week.

Asked if he would be joining the protests, he said: "Yes, definitely. Yes. Yes. I'll be taking the bus to London."

Source: Read Full Article