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Riot Police In The ZAD 'Crem'Arbre' Against The A69 Highway Toulouse-Castres

The Gendarmerie Mobile is currently blocking one of the entrances to the ZAD and access to the woods where 'Ecureuils' (meaning 'squirrels') are occupying the trees. In the woods in Saix, Tarn Department, on the planned A69 highway route between Toulouse and Castres, opponents have established a ZAD named 'Crem'Arbre' to prevent the project from moving forward. The 'Ecureuils' are living in the trees to stop them from being cut down. The Gendarmerie Mobile has intervened to clear the ZAD of all opponents and is now standing guard near the trees occupied by the 'Ecureuils' to block the delivery of supplies such as food and water by sympathizers. MP Karen Erodi attempted to enter the ZAD but was blocked by the Gendarmerie Mobile, despite it being illegal to block an MP in France. The riot police have also intervened several times to block the railway between Toulouse and Castres and have used tear gas canisters to intimidate protesters, as the protest is taking place on private land. The main collective 'La Voie est Libre' (meaning 'The Way is Free') is demanding that construction of the highway be halted until all judicial decisions have been made. The expropriations for farmers have not been finalized. Opponents argue that reprofiling the N126 would be sufficient for the anticipated 6,000 vehicles per day and would cost significantly less. The A69 highway is projected to cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros, excluding inflation) for 54 kilometers, and its construction would result in the destruction of over 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural land. This is taking place in Saix, Tarn, France, on February 17, 2024. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)

Photo Details

Photo ID	#11004730
Date Taken	17 February 2024
Location	N/A
Photographer	Alain Pitton/NurPhoto
Category	Social Issue
Copyright	© 2025 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 castres concrete toulouse france nature destruction concreting atosca activist arborist climber trees zad crem'arbre public money waste occitanie tarn gendarmerie mobile public interest gathering activistes nature pacifism occupation tree forest woods oaks oak cutting clear cutting toulouse semalens saix crem'arbre autoroute A69

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