Editorial photo #10981052 Social Issue
Swedish Activist Greta Thunberg Speaks Against The Decried Highway A69 In The Tarn Department
Riot police are blocking the railway between Toulouse and Castres. In the woods near Semalens in the Tarn Department, on the planned A69 highway route between Toulouse and Castres, opponents of this project are organizing a weekend of protest called the 'Cabanacade' with Swedish ecological activist Greta Thunberg. The event is taking place near the ZAD known as 'Crem'Arbre' and is a call to activists and sympathizers to build huts for 'Ecureuils' ('squirrels') who are living in the trees to prevent them from being cut down. Greta Thunberg is stating that maintaining such a project is insane as it will compromise the quality of life of the inhabitants and will destroy not only nature but also agricultural fields. The 'Gendarmerie Mobile' riot police are intervening several times to block the railway and are using tear gas canisters to intimidate protesters, as the protest is occurring on private lands. The main collective 'La Voie est Libre' is demanding that the construction of the highway be halted until all judicial decisions on the matter are made. All expropriations for farmers have not been settled. Opponents of the project argue that the reprofiling of the N126 would be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles expected per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway is projected to cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers. More than 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural fields are at risk of destruction. This is happening in Saix, Tarn, France, on February 10, 2024. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)
