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

Firefighters and policemen from the CNAMO, a specialized unit, are trying to dislodge an 'Ecureuil' living in a tree. The 'Ecureuil' can be seen standing on a branch to the right of the tree, near the red flag. In the woods in Saix, Tarn Departement, on the planned A69 highway route between Toulouse and Castres, opponents of the project have established a ZAD named 'Crem'Arbre' where 'Ecureuils' ('squirrels') are living in the trees to prevent them from being cut down. Gendarmes Mobiles (riot police) have intervened 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, and the CNAMO police unit is intervening to dislodge the 'Ecureuils' from their trees. After two days of police efforts, they have only dislodged one 'Ecureuil'. The LDH (Human Rights League) has arrived to provide 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' ('The Way is Free') wants the construction of the highway to be halted until all judicial decisions on the matter are made. The 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 much less. 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 land. This is taking place in Saix, Tarn, France, on February 21, 2024. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#11012808
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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