"ecureuils"

#12685146

28 August 2025

One of the 'Ecureuils' (i.e., 'squirrels') speaks to another in the plane trees to be cut in Vendine. Since 3 a.m. this morning, four 'Ecureuils' from the GNSA ('National Group of Trees Watching' founded by Thomas Brail, the activist and arborist-climber) occupy two plane trees in Vendine, Haute-Garonne, to block their cutting for works on the planned A69 highway between Toulouse, Haute-Garonne, and Castres, Tarn. They deploy a banner on Article 2 of the constitutional law about preserving the environment. Initially, only two plane trees are to be cut, but finally, about 10 plane trees will be cut. 'Ecureuils' plan to stay until NGE/Atosca explains the necessity of the cutting and consider going on trial about these planned cuttings. The concessionaire of the A69, NGE/Atosca, repeatedly says that all trees have already been cut for the A69. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') and other opponents want the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient 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. This takes place in Toulouse, Vendine, France, on August 28, 2025.

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#12685147

28 August 2025

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.

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#12685148

28 August 2025

'Ecureuils' place the banner 'Art. 2 of the constitutional law' between two plane trees in Vendine, France, on August 28, 2025. It reads 'Everyone must take part in the protection of the environment'. Since 3 a.m. this morning, four 'Ecureuils' (i.e., 'squirrels') from the GNSA ('National Group of Trees Watching' founded by Thomas Brail, the activist and arborist-climber) occupy two plane trees in Vendine (Haute-Garonne) to block their cutting for works on the planned A69 highway between Toulouse (Haute-Garonne) and Castres (Tarn). They deploy a banner on 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 on trial about these planned cuttings. The concessionaire of the A69, NGE/Atosca, repeatedly says that all trees have already been cut for the A69. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') and other opponents want the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient 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.

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#12068428

18 February 2025

A squirrel ('Ecureuil') places a banner reading 'Justice, we're looking at you' in a tree in front of the Administrative Court of Toulouse. People gather in Toulouse, France, on February 18, 2025, as plaintiffs (LVEL, Attac, Amis de la Terre, D'Ingrando, etc.) against the planned highway A69 between Toulouse and Castres go on 'administrative' trial against the French State along with the builder, NGE, and its concessionary Atosca. The last hearing (in theory) against the environmental authorization to build the A69 highway takes place at the Administrative Court of Toulouse. In December, surprising everyone, the judge decides to reopen the files instead of giving the court decision on the content. Alice Terrasse, the main lawyer for 'La Voie Est Libre' (opponents), pleads, among other things, that the main reason for building this highway, a 'Major Imperative for public interest,' is invalid, as did before the 'Rapporteur Public.' The 'Rapporteur Public' sticks to her position that all environmental authorizations should be nullified, taking down the ''Major Imperative for Public Interest.'' If confirmed, it will stop the building of the A69 highway. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free'), opponents want the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient 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 the inflation) for 54 kilometers.

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#12065003

17 February 2025

'Ecureuils' (i.e., 'squirrels') place a banner reading 'Courage, Stop A69' in a tree in front of the Administrative Court of Toulouse. Thomas Brail, the activist and arborist-climber, and 'Ecureuils' from the GNSA ('National Group of Tree Watchers') occupy trees in front of the Administrative Court of Toulouse to convey to the justices, 'We are watching you,' and to raise awareness among passers-by. Tomorrow, the last hearing, in theory, against the environmental authorization to build the A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres, takes place at the Administrative Court of Toulouse. In December, surprising everyone, the judge decides to reopen the files instead of delivering the court decision on the content. Plaintiffs (LVEL, Attac, Amis de la Terre, D'Ingrando, etc.) against the planned A69 highway go on 'administrative' trial against the French State along with the builder, NGE, and its concessionary Atosca. Alice Terrasse, the main lawyer for 'La Voie Est Libre' (opponents), pleads, among other things, that the main reason for building this highway, a 'Major Imperative for Public Interest,' is invalid, as the 'Rapporteur Public' previously stated. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free'), opponents want the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway costs EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers in Toulouse, France, on February 17, 2025.

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#12065004

17 February 2025

'Ecureuils' (i.e., 'squirrels') place a banner reading 'Courage, Stop A69' in a tree in front of the Administrative Court of Toulouse. Thomas Brail, the activist and arborist-climber, and 'Ecureuils' from the GNSA ('National Group of Tree Watchers') occupy trees in front of the Administrative Court of Toulouse to convey to the justices, 'We are watching you,' and to raise awareness among passers-by. Tomorrow, the last hearing, in theory, against the environmental authorization to build the A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres, takes place at the Administrative Court of Toulouse. In December, surprising everyone, the judge decides to reopen the files instead of delivering the court decision on the content. Plaintiffs (LVEL, Attac, Amis de la Terre, D'Ingrando, etc.) against the planned A69 highway go on 'administrative' trial against the French State along with the builder, NGE, and its concessionary Atosca. Alice Terrasse, the main lawyer for 'La Voie Est Libre' (opponents), pleads, among other things, that the main reason for building this highway, a 'Major Imperative for Public Interest,' is invalid, as the 'Rapporteur Public' previously stated. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free'), opponents want the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway costs EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers in Toulouse, France, on February 17, 2025.

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#12065009

17 February 2025

Squirrels ('Ecureuils') stand in a tree near the Administrative Court of Toulouse. Thomas Brail, the activist and arborist-climber, and 'Ecureuils' (i.e., 'squirrels') from the GNSA ('National Group of Trees Watching') occupy trees in front of the Administrative Court of Toulouse to convey to the justices, 'We are looking at you,' and to raise awareness among passers-by. Tomorrow, the last hearing (in theory) against the environmental authorization to build the A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres takes place at the Administrative Court of Toulouse. In December, surprising everyone, the judge decides to reopen the files instead of giving the court decision on the content. Plaintiffs (LVEL, Attac, Amis de la Terre, D'Ingrando, etc.) against the planned highway A69 go on 'administrative' trial against the French State along with the builder, NGE, and its concessionary Atosca. Alice Terrasse, the main lawyer for 'La Voie Est Libre' (opponents), pleads, among other things, that the main reason for building this highway: a 'Major Imperative for Public Interest' is invalid, as the 'Rapporteur Public' did before. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free'), opponents want the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway costs EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers. In Toulouse, France, on February 17, 2025.

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#12065001

17 February 2025

Someone writes 'Stop A69' on a sign near the Administrative Court of Toulouse. Thomas Brail, the activist and arborist-climber, and 'Ecureuils' (i.e., 'squirrels') from the GNSA ('National Group of Trees Watching') occupy trees in front of the Administrative Court of Toulouse to say to the justices 'We're looking at you' and raise awareness among passers-by. The last hearing (in theory) against the environmental authorization to build the A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres takes place at the Administrative Court of Toulouse. In December, the judge decides to reopen the files instead of giving the court decision on the content. Plaintiffs (LVEL, Attac, Amis de la Terre, D'Ingrando, etc.) against the planned highway A69 go on 'administrative' trial against the French State along with the builder, NGE, and its concessionary Atosca. Alice Terrasse, the main lawyer for 'La Voie Est Libre' (opponents), pleads, among other things, that the main reason for building this highway: a 'Major Imperative for Public Interest' is invalid, as did before the 'Rapporteur Public'. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free'), opponents want the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway costs EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers in Toulouse, France, on February 17, 2025.

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#12065002

17 February 2025

Thomas Brail stands near a banner reading 'Courage, Stop A69' in a tree near the Administrative Court of Toulouse. Thomas Brail, an activist and arborist-climber, and 'Ecureuils' (i.e., 'squirrels') from the GNSA ('National Group of Trees Watching') occupy trees in front of the Administrative Court of Toulouse to convey to the justices, 'We are watching you,' and to raise awareness among passers-by. Tomorrow, the last hearing, in theory, against the environmental authorization to build the A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres takes place at the Administrative Court of Toulouse. In December, surprising everyone, the judge decides to reopen the files instead of delivering the court decision on the content. Plaintiffs (LVEL, Attac, Amis de la Terre, D'Ingrando, etc.) against the planned A69 highway go on 'administrative' trial against the French State along with the builder, NGE, and its concessionary Atosca. Alice Terrasse, the main lawyer for 'La Voie Est Libre' (opponents), pleads, among other things, that the main reason for building this highway, a 'Major Imperative for Public Interest,' is invalid, as the 'Rapporteur Public' previously stated. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free'), opponents want the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 is sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway costs EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers in Toulouse, France, on February 17, 2025.

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#12065006

17 February 2025

Geoffrey Tarroux, a member of 'La Voie Est Libre' (meaning 'the way is free'), speaks to a journalist in front of the Administrative Court of Toulouse. Thomas Brail, the activist and arborist-climber, and 'Ecureuils' (meaning 'squirrels') from the GNSA ('National Group of Trees Watching') occupy trees in front of the Administrative Court of Toulouse to convey to the justices, 'We are watching you,' and to raise awareness among passers-by. Tomorrow, the last hearing (in theory) against the environmental authorization to build the A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres takes place at the Administrative Court of Toulouse. In December, surprising everyone, the judge decides to reopen the files instead of delivering the court decision on the content. Plaintiffs (LVEL, Attac, Amis de la Terre, D'Ingrando, etc.) against the planned highway A69 go on 'administrative' trial against the French State along with the builder, NGE, and its concessionary Atosca. Alice Terrasse, the main lawyer for 'La Voie Est Libre' (opponents), pleads, among other things, that the main reason for building this highway, a 'Major Imperative for Public Interest,' is invalid, as the 'Rapporteur Public' previously stated. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (meaning 'The Way is Free'), opponents want the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway costs EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers in Toulouse, France, on February 17, 2025.

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#12065007

17 February 2025

Trees are occupied by 'Ecureuils' (i.e., 'squirrels') near the Administrative Court of Toulouse. The banner reads 'courage, stop the A69'. Thomas Brail, the activist and arborist-climber, and 'Ecureuils' (i.e., 'squirrels') from the GNSA ('National group of trees watching') occupy trees in front of the Administrative Court of Toulouse to convey to the justices 'We're looking at you' and to raise awareness among passers-by. Tomorrow, the last hearing (in theory) against the environmental authorization to build the A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres takes place at the Administrative Court of Toulouse. In December, surprising everyone, the judge decides to reopen the files instead of giving the court decision on the content. Plaintiffs (LVEL, Attac, Amis de la Terre, D'Ingrando, etc.) against the planned highway A69 go on 'administrative' trial against the French State along with the builder, NGE, and its concessionary Atosca. Alice Terrasse, the main lawyer for 'La Voie Est Libre' (opponents), pleads, among other things, that the main reason for building this highway: a 'Major Imperative for public interest' is invalid, as did before the 'Rapporteur Public'. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free'), opponents want the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway costs EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers in Toulouse, France, on February 17, 2025.

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#12065008

17 February 2025

Two squirrels (Activist Thomas Brail on the left) stand in a tree near the Administrative Court of Toulouse. Thomas Brail, the activist and arborist-climber, and 'Ecureuils' (i.e., 'squirrels') from the GNSA ('National Group of Trees Watching') occupy trees in front of the Administrative Court of Toulouse to convey to the justices, 'We are looking at you,' and to raise awareness among passers-by. Tomorrow, the last hearing (in theory) against the environmental authorization to build the A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres takes place at the Administrative Court of Toulouse. In December, surprising everyone, the judge decides to reopen the files instead of giving the court decision on the content. Plaintiffs (LVEL, Attac, Amis de la Terre, D'Ingrando, etc.) against the planned highway A69 go on 'administrative' trial against the French State along with the builder, NGE, and its concessionary Atosca. Alice Terrasse, the main lawyer for 'La Voie Est Libre' (opponents), pleads, among other things, that the main reason for building this highway, a 'Major Imperative for Public Interest,' is invalid, as did the 'Rapporteur Public' before. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free'), opponents want the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway costs EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers in Toulouse, France, on February 17, 2025.

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#12065010

17 February 2025

The activist Thomas Brail stands in a tree near a banner reading 'Courage Stop A69' in front of the Administrative Court of Toulouse. Thomas Brail, the activist and arborist-climber, and 'Ecureuils' (i.e., 'squirrels') from the GNSA ('National Group of Trees Watching') occupy trees in front of the Administrative Court of Toulouse to say to the justices, 'We are looking at you,' and to raise awareness among passers-by. Tomorrow, the last hearing (in theory) against the environmental authorization to build the A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres takes place at the Administrative Court of Toulouse. In December, surprising everyone, the judge decides to reopen the files instead of giving the court decision on the content. Plaintiffs (LVEL, Attac, Amis de la Terre, D'Ingrando, etc.) against the planned highway A69 go on 'administrative' trial against the French State along with the builder, NGE, and its concessionary Atosca. Alice Terrasse, the main lawyer for 'La Voie Est Libre' (opponents), pleads, among other things, that the main reason for building this highway, a 'Major Imperative for Public Interest,' is invalid, as did before the 'Rapporteur Public'. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free'), opponents want the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway costs EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers in Toulouse, France, on February 17, 2025.

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#12065011

17 February 2025

Passers-by ask organizers why there is a banner and people in the trees in front of the Administrative Court of Toulouse. Thomas Brail, the activist and arborist-climber, and 'Ecureuils' (i.e., 'squirrels') from the GNSA ('National Group of Trees Watching') occupy trees in front of the Administrative Court of Toulouse to say to the justices, 'We are looking at you,' and to raise awareness among passers-by. Tomorrow, the last hearing (in theory) against the environmental authorization to build the A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres takes place at the Administrative Court of Toulouse. In December, surprising everyone, the judge decides to reopen the files instead of giving the court decision on the content. Plaintiffs (LVEL, Attac, Amis de la Terre, D'Ingrando, etc.) against the planned highway A69 go on 'administrative' trial against the French State along with the builder, NGE, and its concessionary Atosca. Alice Terrasse, the main lawyer for 'La Voie Est Libre' (opponents), pleads, among other things, that the main reason for building this highway, a 'Major Imperative for Public Interest,' is invalid, as did the 'Rapporteur Public' before. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free'), opponents want the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 is sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway costs EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers. In Toulouse, France, on February 17, 2025.

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#12065012

17 February 2025

Squirrels place a banner reading 'courage, Stop the A69' into a tree near the Administrative Court of Toulouse. Thomas Brail, the activist and arborist-climber, and 'Ecureuils' (i.e., 'squirrels') from the GNSA ('National group of trees watching') occupy trees in front of the Administrative Court of Toulouse to convey to the justices 'We're looking at you' and raise awareness among passers-by. Tomorrow, the last hearing (in theory) against the environmental authorization to build the A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres takes place at the Administrative Court of Toulouse. In December, the judge decides to reopen the files instead of giving the court decision on the content. Plaintiffs (LVEL, Attac, Amis de la Terre, D'Ingrando, etc.) against the planned highway A69 go on 'administrative' trial against the French State along with the builder, NGE, and its concessionary Atosca. Alice Terrasse, the main lawyer for 'La Voie Est Libre' (opponents), pleads, among other things, that the main reason for building this highway: a 'Major Imperative for public interest' is invalid, as did before the 'Rapporteur Public'. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free'), opponents want the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 is sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway costs EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers in Toulouse, France, on February 17, 2025.

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#12065005

17 February 2025

'Squirrels' stand in a tree near the Administrative Court of Toulouse at dawn. Thomas Brail, the activist and arborist-climber, and 'Squirrels' from the GNSA ('National Group of Trees Watching') occupy trees in front of the Administrative Court of Toulouse to say to the justices, 'We are looking at you,' and to raise awareness among passers-by. Tomorrow, the last hearing, in theory, against the environmental authorization to build the A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres, takes place at the Administrative Court of Toulouse. In December, surprising everyone, the judge decides to reopen the files instead of giving the court decision on the content. Plaintiffs (LVEL, Attac, Amis de la Terre, D'Ingrando, etc.) against the planned highway A69 go on 'administrative' trial against the French State along with the builder, NGE, and its concessionary Atosca. Alice Terrasse, the main lawyer for 'La Voie Est Libre' (opponents), pleads, among other things, that the main reason for building this highway, a 'Major Imperative for Public Interest,' is invalid, as the 'Rapporteur Public' did before. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (ie 'The Way is Free'), opponents want the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway costs EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers in Toulouse, France, on February 17, 2025.

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