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Lawyers Succeed To Resupply 'Ecureuils' At The Crem'Arbre ZAD Against The A69 Highway

Lawyer Alice Terrasse is speaking to journalists in front of riot policemen in Saix, Tarn, France, on March 4, 2024. Following the report by Michel Forst, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, which demanded the resupply of 'Ecureuils' living in the trees of the 'Crem'Arbre' ZAD (Zone To Defend), lawyers are attempting to deliver supplies. After unsuccessful attempts by MP Karen Erodi, activists from LVEL (La Voie Est Libre, meaning 'The Way Is Free') and other associations, lawyers Alice Terrasse and Claire Dujardin have succeeded in getting past the riot police who had previously blocked them. Riot policemen are blocking, repelling, and checking the IDs of every journalist present. Opponents of the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres have set up a ZAD called 'Crem'Arbre', where 'Ecureuils' ('squirrels') are living in trees to prevent them from being cut down. The main collective 'La Voie est Libre' is demanding that the highway project be halted until all judicial decisions are made. The expropriations for farmers have not been resolved. Opponents argue that reprofiling the N126 would be sufficient for the anticipated 6,000 vehicles per day and would be much less expensive. The A69 highway is projected to cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros, excluding inflation) for 54 kilometers, and its construction would result in the destruction of over 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural land. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#11049167
Date Taken	4 March 2024
Location	N/A
Photographer	Alain Pitton/NurPhoto
Category	Social Issue
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Alain Pitton/NurPhoto

ecology highway protest la voie est libre lvel environment nature law btp collective national road n126 A69 public works politics opposition opponent objector protester climate nge climate change global warming castres toulouse france nature destruction concreting atosca activist arborist climber trees zad crem'arbre public money waste occitanie tarn gendarmerie mobile public interest activistes nature pacifism occupation tree forest woods oaks oak cutting clear cutting toulouse semalens saix crem'arbre autoroute A69 ldh cnamo United Nations UN Michel Forst United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human righ law human rights supplies legally binding lawyer alice terrasse claire dujardin