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

Gendarmes Mobiles are blocking the entrance to the ZAD and the woods occupied by individuals known as 'Ecureuils' near a sign that reads 'Pierre Fabre road'. Pierre Fabre, an entrepreneur, is one of the main backers of the construction of the A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres. In the woods in Saix, Tarn Department, France, on February 17, 2024, opponents of this project have set up a ZAD named 'Crem'Arbre', and 'Ecureuils' are living in the trees to prevent them from being cut down. The Gendarmes Mobiles have intervened to clear the ZAD of all opponents and are now standing guard near the trees occupied by 'Ecureuils' to block the delivery of supplies such as food and water by sympathizers. MP Karen Erodi attempted to enter the ZAD, which is being blocked by the Gendarmes Mobiles, without success, despite it being illegal to block an MP in France. The riot police, Gendarmerie Mobile, have intervened multiple 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 regarding the dispute are made. The expropriations for farmers have not been resolved. Opponents argue that the reprofiling of the N126 would be sufficient for the planned 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 destroy more than 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural land. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)

Photo Details

Photo ID	#11004756
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 pierre fabre

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