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'Ecureuils' ('Squirrels') Accupy Again Trees To Be Cut In Protest Against The Planned A69 Highway

In Vendine, France, on August 28, 2025, a member of the GNSA observes 'Ecureuils' setting up their encampment in the plane trees scheduled for cutting. Since 3 a.m., four 'Ecureuils' (or 'squirrels') from the GNSA ('National Group of Trees Watching,' founded by activist and arborist-climber Thomas Brail) occupy two plane trees in Vendine, Haute-Garonne, to prevent their cutting for the planned A69 highway between Toulouse, Haute-Garonne, and Castres, Tarn. They deploy a banner referencing Article 2 of the constitutional law about preserving the environment. Initially, only two plane trees are to be cut, but now about 10 plane trees will be cut. 'Ecureuils' plan to stay until NGE/Atosca explains the necessity of the cutting and consider going to trial over these planned cuttings. The concessionaire of the A69, NGE/Atosca, repeatedly states that all trees have already been cut for the A69. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (or 'The Way is Free') and other opponents want the highway construction to stop until all judicial decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that reprofiling the N126 will suffice for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway will cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)

Photo Details

Photo ID	#12685147
Date Taken	28 August 2025
Location	N/A
Photographer	Alain Pitton/NurPhoto
Category	Social Issue
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Alain Pitton/NurPhoto

Related Keywords

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