Editorial photo #11012817 Social Issue
A69: Riot Police Try To Dislodge 4ecureuils' At The 'Crem'Arbre' ZAD
Sympathizers of the 'Ecureuils' are facing the Gendarmerie Mobile 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 established a ZAD, known as 'Crem'Arbre', and 'Ecureuils', who live in the trees to prevent them from being cut down, are currently being blocked by the Gendarmerie Mobile, who are preventing the supply of food and water. The Gendarmerie Mobile has cleared the 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, only one 'Ecureuil' has been dislodged. 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' is demanding that the construction of the highway be halted until all judicial decisions have been 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 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, France, on February 21, 2024. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)
