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A69: Riot Police Try To Dislodge 4ecureuils' At The 'Crem'Arbre' ZAD

A sympathizer is showing the new armored vehicle, a Centaure, used by the Gendarmerie Mobile (riot police). In the woods in Saix, Tarn Departement, on the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres, opponents have installed a ZAD dubbed 'Crem'Arbre' and 'Ecureuils' (meaning 'squirrels') are living in the trees to block their cutting. The Gendarmes Mobiles 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. The Gendarmes Mobiles have cleared the nearby area of all opponents as a special unit of policemen, CNAMO, is intervening to dislodge the 'Ecureuils' from their trees. After two days of the police's efforts, they have dislodged only one 'Ecureuil'. The LDH (Human Rights League) is coming to give medical supplies to the 'Ecureuils'. However, new trees are being occupied by 'Ecureuils' in a new place called 'Cal'Arbre'. The main collective 'La Voie est Libre' (meaning 'The Way is Free') wants the construction of the highway to be stopped until all the judicial decisions on the matter are given. All expropriations for farmers have not been cleared. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 would be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway will cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers. More than 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural fields are at risk of being destroyed. This is happening in Saix, Tarn, France, on February 21, 2024. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#11012796
Date Taken	20 February 2024
Location	N/A
Photographer	Alain Pitton/NurPhoto
Category	Social Issue
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Alain Pitton/NurPhoto

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