Editorial photo #11012789 Social Issue
A69: Riot Police Try To Dislodge 4ecureuils' At The 'Crem'Arbre' ZAD
Firefighters and policemen are trying to cut branches to remove 'Ecureuils,' who are living in the trees, in the woods in Saix, Tarn Department, on the planned A69 highway route between Toulouse and Castres. Opponents of this project have set up a ZAD, known as 'Crem'Arbre,' and 'Ecureuils' are living in the trees to prevent them from being cut down. Gendarmes Mobiles (riot police) are intervening to clear the ZAD of all opponents and are now standing guard near the trees occupied by 'Ecureuils' to block the supply of food and water by sympathizers. Gendarmes Mobiles have cleared the nearby area of all opponents, and a special unit of policemen, CNAMO, is intervening to dislodge the 'Ecureuils' from their trees. After two days of police efforts, they have dislodged only one 'Ecureuil.' The LDH (Human Rights League) has come to give medical supplies to the 'Ecureuils.' Meanwhile, new trees are being occupied by 'Ecureuils' at a new location called 'Cal'Arbre.' 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 resolved. Opponents 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, excluding inflation) for 54 kilometers, and its construction would destroy over 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural fields. This is happening in Saix, France, on February 21, 2024. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)
