"geoffroy tarroux"

#12102479

28 February 2025

Geoffroy Tarroux, an opponent of the A69, speaks to the press. A press conference takes place in Toulouse, France, on February 27, 2025, as plaintiffs (LVEL, Attac, Amis de la Terre, D'Ingrando, etc.) against the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres win an 'administrative' trial on the content in front of the judges of the Administrative Court of Toulouse against the French State, along with the builder NGE and its concessionary Atosca. Judges revoke the environmental authorization to build the A69 highway, thus stopping all works. In December, surprising everyone, the judges decide 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 Interest Imperative for public interest,' is invalid, as did the 'Rapporteur Public' before. The 'Rapporteur Public' sticks to her position that all environmental authorizations should be nullified, taking down the ''Major Interest Imperative for Public Interest.'' The court's decision stops 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 inflation) for 54 kilometers.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#12102482

28 February 2025

A member of LVEL, Geoffroy Tarroux, speaks during the press conference near the arborist and activist Thomas Brail (right). A press conference takes place in Toulouse, France, on February 27, 2025, as plaintiffs (LVEL, Attac, Amis de la Terre, D'Ingrando, etc.) against the planned highway A69 between Toulouse and Castres win an 'administrative' trial on the content in front of the judges of the Administrative Court of Toulouse against the French State along with the builder, NGE, and its concessionary Atosca. Judges revoke the environmental authorization to build the A69 highway, thus stopping all works. In December, surprising everyone, the judges decide 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 Interest Imperative for public interest' is invalid, as did before the 'Rapporteur Public'. The 'Rapporteur Public' sticks to her position that all environmental authorizations be nullified, taking down the ''Major Interest Imperative for Public Interest.'' The court's decision stops 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 inflation) for 54 kilometers.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#12102483

28 February 2025

A member of LVEL, Geoffroy Tarroux, speaks during the press conference near the arborist and activist Thomas Brail (right). A press conference takes place in Toulouse, France, on February 27, 2025, as plaintiffs (LVEL, Attac, Amis de la Terre, D'Ingrando, etc.) against the planned highway A69 between Toulouse and Castres win an 'administrative' trial on the content in front of the judges of the Administrative Court of Toulouse against the French State along with the builder, NGE, and its concessionary Atosca. Judges revoke the environmental authorization to build the A69 highway, thus stopping all works. In December, surprising everyone, the judges decide 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 Interest Imperative for public interest' is invalid, as did before the 'Rapporteur Public'. The 'Rapporteur Public' sticks to her position that all environmental authorizations be nullified, taking down the ''Major Interest Imperative for Public Interest.'' The court's decision stops 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 inflation) for 54 kilometers.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#11872305

16 December 2024

Geoffroy Tarroux, a member of LVEL, speaks before the beginning of the march. Between 100 and 1500 people gather in Toulouse, France, on December 15, 2024, against a non-administrative court ruling of the Administrative Court against the environmental authorization to build the A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres. The judge decides to reopen the files instead of giving the court decision. 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. 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 inflation) for 54 kilometers. More than 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural fields will be destroyed.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#11041292

2 March 2024

Geoffroy Tarroux and other activists are confronting riot police in Saix, Tarn, France, on March 1, 2024. Following the legally binding report by Michel Forst, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, which demands the resupply of 'Ecureuils' living in the trees of the 'Crem'Arbre' ZAD (Zone To Defend), activists from LVEL (La Voie Est Libre or The Way Is Free) and other associations are attempting to pass through the riot police to deliver supplies. MPs, including Karen Erodial, have also tried unsuccessfully to provide support. Opponents have installed a ZAD called 'Crem'Arbre' on the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres, where 'Ecureuils' ('squirrels') are living 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 block the supply of food and water by sympathizers. Despite two days of police efforts, they have only dislodged one 'Ecureuil'. However, new trees are being occupied by 'Ecureuils' in a new area called 'Cal'Arbre'. The main collective 'La Voie est Libre' is demanding that the highway construction be halted until all judicial decisions are made. The expropriations for farmers have not been resolved. Opponents argue that reprofiling the N126 would be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles expected per day and would cost significantly less than the A69 highway, which is projected to cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers, destroying over 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural land.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#11041297

2 March 2024

Geoffroy Tarroux of LVEL is bringing food and water to resupply 'Ecureuils' and is arguing with riot police in Saix, Tarn, France, on March 1, 2024. Following the legally binding report by Michel Forst, 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 (Zone To Defend), activists from LVEL (La Voie Est Libre or The Way Is Free) and other associations are attempting to get past the riot police to deliver supplies. MPs, including Karen Erodial, are also trying without success. Opponents have set up a ZAD called 'Crem'Arbre' to prevent the cutting of trees by living in them, which they have nicknamed 'Ecureuils' ('squirrels'). Gendarmes Mobiles (riot police) have intervened to clear the ZAD of all opponents and are now standing guard near the trees to prevent sympathizers from supplying the 'Ecureuils' with food and water. After two days, the police have only managed to dislodge one 'Ecureuil', but new trees are being occupied by 'Ecureuils' at a new site called 'Cal'Arbre'. The main collective, 'La Voie est Libre', is demanding that the highway project be halted until all judicial decisions are made. The expropriations for farmers have not been resolved. Opponents argue that reprofiling the N126 would be sufficient for the anticipated 6,000 vehicles per day and would cost significantly less than the A69 highway, which is projected to cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers, destroying over 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural land.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#11041310

2 March 2024

Geoffroy Tarroux from LVEL is attempting to speak with a riot police officer to provide supplies, including food and water, to the 'Ecureuils'. The 'Ecureuils' have been without supplies for the 16th day. 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 (Zone To Defend), activists from LVEL (La Voie Est Libre or The Way Is Free) and other associations are trying to get past the riot police to deliver supplies. MPs, including Karen Erodialso, have also tried unsuccessfully. In Saix, Tarn, France, on the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres, opponents have set up a ZAD called 'Crem'Arbre', and 'Ecureuils' (squirrels) are living 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 nearby area of all opponents, and a special unit of police, CNAMO, has intervened to dislodge the 'Ecureuils' from their trees. After two days of police efforts, they have only dislodged one 'Ecureuil'. However, new trees are being occupied by 'Ecureuils' in a new area called 'Cal'Arbre'. The main collective, 'La Voie est Libre', wants the highway project to be halted until all judicial decisions are 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 much less. The A69 highway is projected to cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros, excluding inflation) for 54 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 1st, 2024. (Photo b

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#11041320

2 March 2024

Geoffroy Tarroux, an activist from LVEL, is being briefly arrested as he attempts to break through the ranks of riot police to resupply the 'Ecureuils'. Following the legally binding report by Michel Forst, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, which demands the resupply of 'Ecureuils' stationed in the trees of the 'Crem'Arbre' ZAD (Zone To Defend), activists from LVEL (La Voie Est Libre or The Way Is Free) and other associations are trying to get past the riot police to deliver supplies. MPs, including Karen Erodial, are also attempting to resupply the 'Ecureuils' without success. In Saix, Tarn, France, on the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres, opponents have set up a ZAD called 'Crem'Arbre', and 'Ecureuils' ('squirrels') are living in the trees to prevent them from being cut down. The 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 the delivery of food and water by sympathizers. The Gendarmes Mobiles have cleared the nearby area of all opponents, and a special unit of police, CNAMO, is intervening to dislodge the 'Ecureuils' from their trees. After two days of police efforts, they have only dislodged one 'Ecureuil'. However, new trees are being occupied by 'Ecureuils' in a new area called 'Cal'Arbre'. The main collective, 'La Voie est Libre', wants the highway project to be halted until all judicial decisions are made. The expropriations for farmers have not 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 far 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 date is March 1st, 2024.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#10622482

10 October 2023

Geoffroy Tarroux, member of the collective 'La voie est libre' speaks to people near Victoria, a hunger striker. Thomas, Reva and Calik announced on Monday 9th Oct; the beginning of their thirst strike. People, supporters gathered near the Capitole place to support the strikers (thirst or hunger), to bury the Rule of Law and to hold a vigil with candles. People, hunger strikers and Thomas Brail just ask a moratorium on the building of the decried A69 highway between Youlouse-Castres the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given They want public authorities to react to the ecological consequences of this highway. The building of the highway A69 between Toulouse and Castres is underway. This highway would cost (at date) EUR512millions for 54 kilometers. 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. More than 100 protected species and 400ha of agricultural field would be destroyed if the A69 highway is built. Toulouse. France. October 9th 2023.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#9959906

23 April 2023

Geoffrey Tarroux, porte-parole of the collective 'La Voie est Libre' speaks to people in thecamp. The collectives 'La Voie Est Libre' (ie 'The Way Is Free'), the farmers organization Confederation Paysanne, XR Toulouse (Extinction Rebellion Toulouse) and 'Les soulevements de la Terre' organized a week-end of mobilization in Saix neart Castres (Tarn) against the beginning of the works on the decried future highway Toulouse-Castres, the A69. Thousands of people stayed in the camp with tents. They assisted to speeches, press conferences, information points before going protesting along places to be destroyed by the highway and on the N126 . This highway would cost (at date) EUR512millions for 54 kilometers, half of the money will be public. 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. More than 100 protected species and 400ha of agricultural field would be destroyed if the A69 highway is built. The A69 highway is already nicknamed 'Fabre highway' as it's this compagny which wants the A69 to be built. Saix. Tarn. France. April 22th 2023.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#7157572

1 October 2021

The spokeperson of the collective Stop Carriere Montcabier, Geoffrey Tarroux, speaks to a local TV France3 Occitanie near a banner reading 'Highway: Graveyrad of biodiversity'. Several collectives such as Stop Carriere Montcabrier (ie 'Stop quarry Montcabrier), RN126, PACT and others organized the first 'FestiVAD' against he creation of new quarries and against the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres. Organizers of the FestVAD have invited artists and organized playgrounds for children. NGE group has been named by Prime minister Jean Castex as the future concessionaire of the A69 highway. This highway would cost (at date) €512millions for 54 kilometers, half of the money will be public. 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. NGE group have planned new quarries to extract more than 3 millions cubic meters of rock for the highway. More than 100 protected species risk to be destroyed if the A69 highway is built. Toulouse. Montcabrier. Tarn. France. September25th 2021.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.