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Sympathizers Of 'Squirrels' Against The A69 Highway Gather

Supporters are building a symbolic concrete wall near the Courthouse of Toulouse, France, on January 17, 2024, as the controversial construction of the A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres continues. Four arborist-climbers, known as 'squirrels,' are currently on trial at the courthouse for obstructing the felling of trees near Verfeuil by occupying them. People have gathered to show their support for the 'squirrels.' The sympathizers have constructed a mock concrete wall where they are painting the message 'A69 won't be built' and have burned a representation of the Earth. The 'squirrels' aim to protect the remaining trees that the public works group NGE/Atosca has not yet destroyed. NGE/ATOSCA is cutting down trees even though not all legal procedures have been resolved. 'La Voie est Libre' (meaning 'The Way is Free'), opponents, and Thomas Brail are calling for the halt of the highway construction until all judicial decisions have been made. The expropriation processes for farmers have not been finalized. Critics of the project argue that upgrading the N126 would be sufficient for the anticipated 6,000 vehicles per day and would be much less expensive. The A69 highway is projected to cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros, excluding inflation) for 54 kilometers, and its construction threatens to destroy over 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural land. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)

Photo Details

Photo ID	#10920762
Date Taken	17 January 2024
Location	N/A
Photographer	Alain Pitton/NurPhoto
Category	Social Issue
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Alain Pitton/NurPhoto

Related Keywords

ecology highway protest la voie est libre lvel environment nature law btp collective national road n126 A69 public works politics opposition opponent objector protester climate nge climate change global warming 6th extinction castres concrete toulouse france bats nature birds destruction concreting atosca activist arborist climber trees Saint-Germain-des-Pres public money waste farmer farming food smda occitanie public interest trial justice ecureuils squirrels tgi wall concrete wall

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