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

Gendarmerie Mobile units are currently lighting the huts of 'Ecureuils' standing in the trees of the 'Crem'Arbre' ZAD in the woods in Saix, Tarn Departement, France, on the planned A69 highway route between Toulouse and Castres. Opponents of the project have established a ZAD, 'Crem'Arbre,' where 'Ecureuils' (meaning 'squirrels') are living in the trees to prevent them from being cut down. The Gendarmerie Mobiles (riot police) are intervening to clear the ZAD of all opponents and are now standing guard near the trees 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 working to dislodge the 'Ecureuils' from their trees. After two days of police efforts, they have only managed to dislodge 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' (meaning 'The Way is Free') is demanding that construction of the highway be halted until all judicial decisions have been made. Not all expropriations for farmers have been resolved. Opponents argue that reprofiling the N126 would be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles expected per day and would cost significantly 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. The date is February 21, 2024. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#11012831
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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