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

Gendarmes Mobiles are standing guard near the 'Crem'Arbre' ZAD in the woods in Saix, Tarn Departement, on the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres. Opponents of this project have installed a ZAD, dubbed 'Crem'Arbre', and 'Ecureuils' ('squirrels') are living in the trees to block their cutting. The 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. They 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' in a new place called 'Cal'Arbre'. The main collective, 'La Voie est Libre' ('The Way is Free'), wants the construction of the highway to be stopped until all judicial decisions on the matter are given. All expropriations for farmers have not been cleared. Opponents of this project argue 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 is projected to cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers, and its construction would destroy more than 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural fields. This is taking place in Saix, France, on February 21, 2024. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#11012810
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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