"Bring Back Frank"

#12825196

3 October 2025

KRAKOW, POLAND - OCTOBER 2: Activists hold placards with words 'Bring Back Frank/Ewa/Omar/Nina' during the 'Alarm for Gaza! S.O.S. for the Flotilla' demonstration at Krakow’s UNESCO Market Square, calling for the release of all Global Sumud Flotilla participants and denouncing Israeli actions, while pressing Polish authorities to respond urgently, in Krakow, Poland, on October 2, 2025. The rally follows Israel’s interception of the flotilla on its way to Gaza, where activists, including four members of the Polish delegation, were detained during a peaceful humanitarian mission.

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#12824052

3 October 2025

KRAKOW, POLAND - OCTOBER 2: Activists hold placards with words 'Bring Back Frank/Omar/Nina' during the 'Alarm for Gaza! S.O.S. for the Flotilla' demonstration at Krakow’s UNESCO Market Square, calling for the release of all Global Sumud Flotilla participants and denouncing Israeli actions, while pressing Polish authorities to respond urgently, in Krakow, Poland, on October 2, 2025. The rally follows Israel’s interception of the flotilla on its way to Gaza, where activists, including four members of the Polish delegation, were detained during a peaceful humanitarian mission.

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#11545138

4 September 2024

Nepali Paralympian medalist Palesha Goverdhan, 21 (center), along with her coach (right), is showered with flower petals while being welcomed upon her arrival from the Paris Paralympics 2024 to Kathmandu on September 4, 2024. On August 31, Goverdhan defeats Marija Micev of Serbia 15-8 in the bronze medal match of the women's K44 under 57 kg weight category taekwondo competition, becoming the first athlete from Nepal to win a Paralympic medal. Nepal has never won an official medal at the Summer Games in its 60-year Olympic history, not considering Bidhan Lama's bronze in the exhibition taekwondo event at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul and the gold presented to Tejbir Bura at the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France, for his alpinism effort as part of the 1922 British Mount Everest expedition. Neither medal is officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Nepal makes its first Paralympics debut at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, sending Nirmala Gyawali in the women's shot-put event. Jit Bahadur Khadka is the second athlete to participate at the Paralympic Games. He competes in the men's 100m at the 2008 Summer Paralympics. Para taekwondo athlete Goverdhan in the Tokyo Olympics is near to winning a bronze medal but fails. Three years later, she conquers her dream for a historic bronze for the Himalayan nation.

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#11545139

4 September 2024

Nepali Paralympian medalist Palesha Goverdhan, 21 (center), along with her coach (right), is showered with flower petals while being welcomed upon her arrival from the Paris Paralympics 2024 to Kathmandu on September 4, 2024. On August 31, Goverdhan defeats Marija Micev of Serbia 15-8 in the bronze medal match of the women's K44 under 57 kg weight category taekwondo competition, becoming the first athlete from Nepal to win a Paralympic medal. Nepal has never won an official medal at the Summer Games in its 60-year Olympic history, not considering Bidhan Lama's bronze in the exhibition taekwondo event at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul and the gold presented to Tejbir Bura at the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France, for his alpinism effort as part of the 1922 British Mount Everest expedition. Neither medal is officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Nepal makes its first Paralympics debut at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, sending Nirmala Gyawali in the women's shot-put event. Jit Bahadur Khadka is the second athlete to participate at the Paralympic Games. He competes in the men's 100m at the 2008 Summer Paralympics. Para taekwondo athlete Goverdhan in the Tokyo Olympics is near to winning a bronze medal but fails. Three years later, she conquers her dream for a historic bronze for the Himalayan nation.

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#11096570

25 March 2024

People are waiting for the 'Ecureuils' to climb down from the trees they have occupied for 37 days to prevent them from being cut down. After 37 days in the trees, the last three 'Ecureuils' descended as the French Justice ruled that the Crem'Arbre must be protected and the trees cannot be cut until September 1st. Supporters, including LVEL members, are gathering to welcome the 'Ecureuils' back to the ground. Riot police are present to prevent public disorder. The 'Ecureuils' and their trees were surrounded by police for over a month. In Saix, Tarn, France, on the proposed A69 highway route between Toulouse and Castres, opponents set up a ZAD named 'Crem'Arbre' to live in the trees and block their cutting. The main collective 'La Voie est Libre' is advocating for the highway project to be halted until all judicial decisions are made. Not all expropriations for farmers have been resolved. Opponents argue that upgrading the N126 would be sufficient for the anticipated 6,000 vehicles per day and would be much less expensive. 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. The event is taking place in Saix, Tarn, France, on March 24th, 2024.

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#11096572

25 March 2024

Reva, one of the three 'Ecureuils', is being welcomed on the ground for the first time in 37 days. After spending 37 days in the trees, the last three 'Ecureuils' living in the trees of the Crem'Arbre ZAD (Zone To Defend) have climbed down following the French Justice's decision to protect the Crem'Arbre and prohibit the cutting of trees until September 1st. Supporters, sympathizers, and LVEL members are gathering to welcome the 'Ecureuils' back to the ground. Riot police are present but only to prevent public disorder. The 'Ecureuils' and their trees had been under siege by police for over a month. In Saix, Tarn, France, on the route of the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres, opponents established a ZAD known as 'Crem'Arbre', where 'Ecureuils' have been living in the trees to prevent them from being cut down. The main collective 'La Voie est Libre' is advocating for the highway project to be halted until all judicial decisions are made. Not all expropriations for farmers have been resolved. Opponents argue that reprofiling the N126 would be sufficient for the anticipated 6,000 vehicles per day and would be much less costly. The A69 highway is projected to cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros, excluding inflation) for 53 kilometers, and its construction would result in the destruction of over 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural land. The event is taking place in Saix, Tarn, France, on March 24, 2024.

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#11096569

25 March 2024

An activist from a ZAD (Zone to Defend) is standing on a cut tree in the Crem'Arbre woods in Saix, Tarn, France, on March 24, 2024. After 37 days in the trees, the last three 'Ecureuils' (squirrels), who had been living in the trees of the Crem'Arbre ZAD to prevent them from being cut down, descended as the French Justice ruled that the Crem'Arbre must be protected and the trees cannot be cut until September 1st. Supporters, members of LVEL, gathered to welcome the 'Ecureuils' back to the ground. Riot police were present to prevent public disorder. The 'Ecureuils' and their trees had been surrounded by police for over a month. Opponents of the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres have set up the Crem'Arbre ZAD and have been living in the trees to block the cutting. The main collective 'La Voie est Libre' (The Way is Free) is demanding that the highway project be halted until all judicial decisions have been made. Not all expropriations for farmers have been resolved. Opponents argue that upgrading the N126 would be sufficient for the anticipated 6,000 vehicles per day and would be much less expensive. 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.

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#11096579

25 March 2024

Riot police are gesturing towards a 'Zadiste,' an activist from a ZAD, which stands for Zone To Protect. After spending 37 days in the trees, the last three 'Ecureuils,' or 'squirrels,' who have been living in the trees of the Crem'Arbre ZAD, are climbing down. This comes as the French Justice has recognized that the Crem'Arbre must be protected and the trees should not be cut until September 1st. People, sympathizers, and LVEL members are gathering to welcome the 'Ecureuils' back to the ground. Riot police are present but are there only to prevent public disorder. The 'Ecureuils' and their trees had been besieged by police for more than a month. In Saix, Tarn, France, on the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres, opponents have set up a ZAD called '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 highway construction be halted until all judicial decisions have been made. 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 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. This is happening in Saix, Tarn, France, on March 24th, 2024.

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#11096583

25 March 2024

Activists from a ZAD, which stands for Zone To Protect, are holding a press conference. After spending 37 days in the trees, the last three 'Ecureuils', who have been living in the trees of the Crem'Arbre ZAD, are climbing down because the French Justice has recognized that the Crem'Arbre must be protected and the trees cannot be cut until September 1st. Supporters, including members of LVEL, are gathering to welcome the 'Ecureuils' back to the ground. Riot police are present to prevent public disorder. The 'Ecureuils' and their trees had been surrounded by police for over a month. In Saix, Tarn, France, on the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres, opponents have set up a ZAD called 'Crem'Arbre', and 'Ecureuils' are living in the trees to prevent them from being cut down. The main collective 'La Voie est Libre', which means 'The Way is Free', is demanding that the highway construction be halted until all judicial decisions have been made. Not all expropriations for farmers have been resolved. Opponents argue that the reprofiling of the N126 would be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles expected per day and would cost much 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. The event is taking place in Saix, Tarn, France, on March 24, 2024.

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#11096584

25 March 2024

People are walking through the remnants of the Crem'Arbre woods after trees were illegally cut down for the controversial A69 highway. The last three 'Ecureuils' (meaning 'squirrels'), who had been living in the trees of the Crem'Arbre ZAD (Zone To Defend) for 37 days, are climbing down as the French Justice has ruled that the Crem'Arbre must be protected and the trees cannot be cut until September 1st. Supporters, including members of LVEL, are gathering to welcome the 'Ecureuils' back to the ground. Riot police are present but only to prevent public disorder. The 'Ecureuils' and their trees had been surrounded by police for over a month. In Saix, Tarn, on the planned A69 highway route between Toulouse and Castres, opponents have set up a ZAD named '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 highway construction be halted until all judicial decisions have been made. Not all expropriations for farmers have been resolved. Opponents argue that reprofiling the N126 would be sufficient for the anticipated 6,000 vehicles per day and would be much less expensive. 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. The photo was taken in Saix, Tarn, France, on March 24, 2024.

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#11096581

25 March 2024

Reva and Tapir, two of the three 'Ecureuils', are holding a press conference. After 37 days in the trees, the last three 'Ecureuils', who have been living in the trees of the Crem'Arbre ZAD (Zone To Defend), are climbing down because the French Justice has recognized that the Crem'Arbre must be protected and the trees should not be cut until September 1st. People, sympathizers, and LVEL members are gathering to welcome the 'Ecureuils' back to the ground. Riot police are present but only to prevent public disorder. The 'Ecureuils' and their trees had been besieged by police for more than a month. In Saix, Tarn, France, on the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres, opponents have set up a ZAD called 'Crem'Arbre', and the 'Ecureuils' have been living in the trees to prevent them from being cut down. The main collective 'La Voie est Libre' 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 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 53 kilometers, and its construction would destroy more than 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural land. This is taking place in Saix, Tarn, France, on March 24, 2024.

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#10920760

18 January 2024

A 'squirrel' is speaking in front of supporters near a wall that has been painted with the message 'A69 won't pass' in Toulouse, France, on January 17, 2024. As the construction of the controversial A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres continues, four arborist-climbers, nicknamed 'squirrels,' are currently on trial at the courthouse in Toulouse for obstructing the felling of trees near Verfeuil by occupying them. Supporters have gathered to back the 'squirrels.' They have constructed a mock concrete wall where they have painted 'A69 won't be built' and have burned a fake Earth. The 'squirrels' are aiming to protect the remaining trees that the public works group NGE/Atosca has not yet destroyed. Trees are being cut down by NGE/ATOSCA even though not all legal procedures have been completed. 'La Voie est Libre' (meaning 'The Way is Free'), opponents, and Thomas Brail are calling for the construction of the highway to be halted until all judicial decisions have been made. Not all expropriations for farmers have been resolved. Critics 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 54 kilometers, and its construction will result in the destruction of over 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural land.

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#10920772

18 January 2024

A squirrel is holding a newspaper with the headline 'Our house is on fire' in Toulouse, France, on January 17, 2024. As construction on the controversial A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres continues, four arborist-climbers, nicknamed 'squirrels,' are currently on trial at the courthouse in Toulouse for blocking the cutting of trees near Verfeuil by occupying them. Supporters have gathered to back the 'squirrels.' Sympathizers have constructed a mock concrete wall where they are painting 'A69 won't be built' and have burned a fake Earth. The 'squirrels' are trying to protect the remaining trees that the public works group NGE/Atosca has not yet destroyed. Trees are being cut by NGE/ATOSCA even though not all legal procedures have been completed. 'La Voie est Libre' (meaning 'The Way is Free'), opponents, and Thomas Brail are calling for the construction of the highway to be halted until all judicial decisions have been made. Not all expropriations for farmers have 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 54 kilometers, and its construction is expected to destroy over 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural land.

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#10920774

18 January 2024

A squirrel is blowing into the torch to extinguish it near a leaflet against the A69 highway in Toulouse, France, on January 17, 2024. As the construction of the controversial A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres continues, four arborist-climbers, nicknamed 'squirrels,' are currently on trial before the courthouse of Toulouse for having blocked the cutting of trees near Verfeuil by occupying them. Supporters have gathered to back the 'squirrels.' Sympathizers are constructing a fake concrete wall where they are painting 'A69 won't be built' and burning a faux Earth. The 'squirrels' are aiming to protect the last trees that the public works group NGE/Atosca has not yet destroyed. Trees are being cut by NGE/ATOSCA even though not all legal procedures have been completed. The group 'La Voie est Libre,' along with opponents and Thomas Brail, are calling for the construction of the highway to be halted until all judicial decisions have been made. Not all expropriations for farmers have 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 54 kilometers, and its construction will result in the destruction of over 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural land.

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#10920775

18 January 2024

An Earth model is burning in a newspaper, and a leaflet reads, 'A69, you too find it scandalous to cut centennial trees?' As the construction of the controversial A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres continues, four arborist-climbers, known as 'squirrels,' are on trial at the courthouse in Toulouse, France, on January 17, 2024, for having blocked the cutting of trees near Verfeuil by occupying them. Supporters have gathered to back the 'squirrels.' Sympathizers have constructed a mock concrete wall where they are painting 'A69 won't be built' and have set ablaze a faux Earth. The 'squirrels' are aiming to protect the last trees that the public works group NGE/Atosca has not yet destroyed. Trees are being cut down by NGE/ATOSCA even though not all legal procedures have been completed. 'La Voie est Libre' (meaning 'The Way is Free'), opponents, and Thomas Brail are calling for the construction of the highway to be halted until all judicial decisions have been made. Not all expropriations for farmers have been resolved. Opponents of the project argue that the reprofiling of 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, resulting in the destruction of over 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural land.

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#10684154

23 October 2023

Gendarmes Mobiles used a anti riot wall to block protesters to come back to the 'La Cremade' farm. Protesters decided to create a ZAD (Zone To Defend) in a farm 'La Cremade' nearby before being violently dislodged by 1200 gendarmes mobiles (riot police), two helicopters, 2 armored vehicles and a deluge of tear gas canisters. After the expulsion, protesters cleaned all the fields of tear gas canisters and drawed the symbol of the collective 'Les soulevements de la Terre' (ie Earth uprising'). Nearly 10 000 people participated to a week end of action called 'Ramdam sur le Macadam' in the Tarn department against the decried highway A69 between Toulouse and Castres. Several corteges took place and went to different places. Police tried at several moments to block the access to the camp at protestors even during the cortege. Several political parties, unions, ngos called to this week-end of protest. The main assocation '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 to be given. All expropiations for farmers aren't cleared. Opponents at this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be suffisant for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway will cost EUR512 millions (in 2018 euros without the inflation) for 54 kilometers. More than 100 protected species and 400ha of agricultural fields will be destroyed. Saix. Tarn. France. October 22th 2023.

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