Click image to zoom

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

Squirrels are occupying a plane tree to prevent its cutting in the 'Crem'Arbre' Zone To Defend (ZAD) in the woods in Saix, Tarn, France, on February 17, 2024. Opponents of the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres have established a ZAD called 'Crem'Arbre' and are living in the trees to block their cutting. Riot police, Gendarmes Mobiles, have intervened to clear the ZAD of all opponents and are now standing guard near the trees occupied by the 'squirrels' to block their supplies of food and water from sympathizers. MP Karen Erodi attempted to enter the ZAD but was blocked by the Gendarmes Mobiles, 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 lands. The main collective 'La Voie est Libre' is demanding that the construction of the highway be halted until all judicial decisions are 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, excluding inflation) for 54 kilometers, and its construction would destroy over 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural fields. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)

Photo Details

Photo ID	#11004747
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

License This Photo

Digital Basic Editorial use on digital platforms only (websites, social media). Single use, up to 1 million monthly UVs. Worldwide distribution. NO COMMERCIAL OR PROMOTIONAL USE

€35.00

Editorial Print & Digital For editorial use in print and digital publications such as newspapers, magazines, and textbooks. Single use, up to 10,000 copies or 1 million UVs. Worldwide distribution. NO COMMERCIAL OR PROMOTIONAL USE

€99.00

Broadcast (TV & Digital) For editorial use in TV production or streaming platforms. Single use, all media rights excluding theatrical, with worldwide distribution in perpetuity. NO COMMERCIAL OR PROMOTIONAL USE

€399.00

Total Price

€35.00

Secure checkout

Need a custom license?

Contact Sales