Editorial photo #10981053 Social Issue
Swedish Activist Greta Thunberg Speaks Against The Decried Highway A69 In The Tarn Department
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is standing near a protester holding a cardboard sign that reads 'Stop A69' 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 Greta Thunberg participating. The event is taking place near the ZAD, dubbed 'Crem'Arbre', which is a call to activists and sympathizers to build huts for 'Ecureuils' (squirrels) who live in the trees to prevent them from being cut down. Thunberg is expressing her concern, stating that maintaining such a project is insane as it will compromise the quality of life of the inhabitants and destroy nature and agricultural fields. Riot police, known as 'Gendarmerie Mobile', are intervening several times to block the railway between Toulouse and Castres and are using tear gas canisters to intimidate the protesters, as the protest is occurring on private lands. The main collective 'La Voie est Libre' (The Way is Free) is demanding that the construction of the highway be halted until all judicial decisions have been made. The expropriations for farmers have not been resolved. Opponents argue that reprofiling 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, not accounting for inflation) for 54 kilometers, and its construction would result in the destruction of more than 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural fields. This is taking place in Saix, Tarn, France, on February 10, 2024. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)
