Editorial photo #11182767 Social Issue
A69 Highway : 'Majo' Of The Crem'arbres ZAD Receives The Label 'Outstanding Tree Of The Year'
An activist is holding a fake tombstone for 'Sorciere' (meaning 'witch'), an oak tree that was illegally cut down by NGE/Atosca. Georges Feterman, the president of the NGO A.R.B.R.E.S, is attending the Crem'Arbres event to award the prestigious title of 'Outstanding Tree of the Year' to 'Majo', a London plane tree. This London plane, along with other trees, would have been illegally cut down by NGE/Atosca if 'Ecureuils' (meaning 'squirrels') had not occupied the trees for 39 days. Following a 39-day police siege of the Crem'Arbres, the French Justice system acknowledged that the Crem'Arbre area must be protected and the trees should remain uncut until September 1st. Supporters, sympathizers, and members of LVEL are gathering for the ceremony to present the 'Outstanding Tree of the Year' award. In Saix, Tarn, France, on April 26, 2024, opponents of the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres have established a ZAD, known as 'Crem'Arbre' (meaning 'Zone To Defend'), and 'Ecureuils' ('squirrels') have been living in the trees to prevent them from being cut down. The main collective 'La Voie est Libre' (meaning 'The Way is Free') is demanding that the highway construction be halted until all judicial decisions have been made. The expropriations for farmers have not been resolved. Opponents of the project argue that reprofiling the N126 would be sufficient for the anticipated 6,000 vehicles per day and would cost significantly less. The A69 highway is projected to cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros, excluding inflation) for 53 kilometers, and its construction would destroy over 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural land. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)
