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A69 Highway : 'Majo' Of The Crem'arbres ZAD Receives The Label 'Outstanding Tree Of The Year'

A 'zadist' is standing on the trunk of a tree that was illegally cut in the Crem'Arbres woods, holding a banner that reads 'Zone To Defend'. Georges Feterman, the president of the NGO A.R.B.R.E.S, is visiting the Crem'Arbres to award the coveted label of 'Outstanding Tree of the Year' to 'Majo', a London plane. This London plane, along with other trees, would have been illegally cut by NGE/Atosca if the 'Ecureuils' (meaning 'squirrels') had not occupied the trees for 39 days. After a 39-day police siege of the Crem'Arbres, the French Justice has recognized that the Crem'Arbre must be protected and the trees should remain uncut until September 1st. People, sympathizers, and LVEL members are gathering for the awarding of the label 'Outstanding Tree of the Year'. In Saix, Tarn, France, on April 26, 2024, opponents have set up a ZAD, dubbed 'Crem'Arbre', and 'Ecureuils' are 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 construction of the highway be halted until all judicial decisions have been made. The expropriations for farmers have not been resolved. Opponents of this project argue that the reprofiling of the N126 would be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles expected per day and would cost significantly less money. The A69 highway is projected to cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros, excluding inflation) for 53 kilometers, and its construction would destroy more than 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural land. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#11182780
Date Taken	26 April 2024
Location	N/A
Photographer	Alain Pitton/NurPhoto
Category	Social Issue
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Alain Pitton/NurPhoto

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