"E-Raptor"

#11041315

2 March 2024

Geoffroy Tarroux is attempting to speak to riot policemen at the 'Crem'Arbre' ZAD. Following the legally binding 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 (i.e., 'Zone To Defend'), activists from LVEL (La voie Est Libre, i.e., 'The Way Is Free') and other associations are trying to get past the riot police to deliver supplies to the 'Ecureuils'. MPs, including Karen Erodial, also attempted without success. In Saix, Tarn, on the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres, opponents have set up a ZAD called 'Crem'Arbre', where 'Ecureuils' ('squirrels') are residing in the trees to prevent them from being cut down. Gendarmes Mobiles (riot police) have intervened to clear the ZAD of all opponents and are now standing guard near the trees occupied by 'Ecureuils' to prevent sympathizers from supplying food and water. The Gendarmes Mobiles have cleared the area of all opponents, and a special unit of policemen, CNAMO, is working to dislodge the 'Ecureuils' from their trees. After two days of police efforts, they have only managed to dislodge one 'Ecureuil'. However, new trees are being occupied by 'Ecureuils' at a new location called 'Cal'Arbre'. The main collective, 'La Voie est Libre', is demanding that the highway construction be halted until all judicial decisions on the matter are finalized. Not all expropriations for farmers have been resolved. Opponents of the project argue that reprofiling the N126 would be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles expected per day and would cost significantly less. The A69 highway is projected to cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros, excluding inflation) for 54 kilometers, and its construction would destroy more than 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural land. The events are taking place in Saix, Tarn, France, on March 1, 2024.

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#11018196

23 February 2024

An 'Ecureuil' is standing in a tree at the 'Crem'Arbre' ZAD. Michel Forst, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, is visiting the 'Crem'Arbre' ZAD (i.e., 'Zone To Defend') to see for himself if there are allegations of excessive police violence, deprivation of food and water, etc. During his visit, the riot police are not allowing any media to follow him in the ZAD. Even the two MPs, Karen Erodi and Anne Stambach-Terrenoir, are not allowed. In Saix, France, on the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres, opponents have installed a ZAD dubbed 'Crem'Arbre' (i.e., ZAD: Zone To Defend), and 'Ecureuils' ('squirrels') are living in the trees to block their cutting. The Gendarmes Mobiles (riot police) are intervening to clear the ZAD of all opponents and are now standing guard near the trees occupied by 'Ecureuils' to block the supply of food and water by sympathizers. The Gendarmes Mobiles have cleared the place nearby of all opponents as a special unit of policemen CNAMO is intervening to dislodge 'Ecureuils' from their trees. After two days of police efforts, they have dislodged only one 'Ecureuil'. However, new trees are being occupied by 'Ecureuils' in a new place called 'Cal'Arbre'. The main collective 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') wants the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. All expropriations for farmers aren't cleared. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 would 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. More than 100 protected species and 400ha of agricultural fields will be destroyed. This is happening in Saix, Tarn, France, on February 22, 2024.

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