"squirrel monkey"

#13085487

11 December 2025

A 'Ecureuil' (i.e., squirrel) places a banner at the top of a tree near the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse. It quotes an article of constitutional law that reads, 'Everyone must take part in the preservation and improvement of the environment'. A final hearing on the legality of the environmental authorizations for the planned highway A69 between Toulouse and Castres takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse, France, on December 11, 2025. Plaintiffs against the A69 ask the court to nullify all environmental authorizations given for the A69 project. Opponents gather in front of the Administrative Court of Appeal during the hearings. They argue that this highway is not legally sound, that NGE/Atosca (builders) do not respect even their own documents about ecological compensations, and there are issues of violence against opponents and non-compliance with regulations. NGE/Atosca and the Minister of Ecology plead that this highway is 'necessary by nature' and that the first decision of the Administrative Court to scrap the authorizations is an 'anomaly'. The verdict will be given on December 30, 2025. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') wants the building of the highway to be stopped until all judicial 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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#13085502

11 December 2025

Squirrels in a tree in front of the Administrative Court of Appeal put up a banner reading 'Stop A69'. A final hearing on the legality of the environmental authorizations for the planned highway A69 between Toulouse and Castres takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse. Plaintiffs against the A69 ask the court to nullify all environmental authorizations given for the A69 project. Opponents gather in front of the Administrative Court of Appeal during the hearings. They argue that this highway is not legally sound, that NGE/Atosca (builders) do not respect even their own documents about ecological compensations, violence against opponents, non-respect of regulations, etc. NGE/Atosca and the Minister of Ecology plead that this highway is 'necessary by nature' and that the first decision of the Administrative Court to scrap the authorizations is an 'anomaly'. The verdict will be given on December 30, 2025. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (The Way is Free) wants 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, France, on December 11, 2025.

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#12684978

28 August 2025

A Gendarmerie car is stationed near graffiti reading 'Good Morning' in Vendine, France, on August 28, 2025. 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 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.

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#12685009

28 August 2025

'Ecureuils' set up their encampment in one of the plane trees to be cut in Vendine. 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 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. Toulouse, Vendine, France, on August 28, 2025.

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#12685011

28 August 2025

'Ecureuils' set up their encampment in one of the plane trees to be cut in Vendine. 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 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. Toulouse, Vendine, France, on August 28, 2025.

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#12685013

28 August 2025

'Ecureuils' set up their encampment in one of the plane trees to be cut in Vendine. 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 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. Toulouse, Vendine, France, on August 28, 2025.

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#12685016

28 August 2025

'Ecureuils' set up their encampment in one of the plane trees to be cut in Vendine. 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 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. Toulouse, Vendine, France, on August 28, 2025.

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#12685018

28 August 2025

An 'Ecureuil' sets up his encampment in one of the plane trees to be cut in Vendine. 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 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. Toulouse, Vendine, France, on August 28, 2025.

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#12685019

28 August 2025

'Ecureuils' set up their encampment in one of the plane trees. 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, France, on August 28, 2025, to block their cutting for works on the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres. 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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#12685031

28 August 2025

An 'ecureuil' occupies one of the plane trees. 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, France, on August 28, 2025, to block their cutting for works on the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres. 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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#12685067

28 August 2025

'Ecureuils' set up their encampment in one of the plane trees. 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, France, on August 28, 2025, to block their cutting for works on the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres. 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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#12685096

28 August 2025

'Ecureuils' set up their encampment in one of the plane trees. 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, France, on August 28, 2025, to block their cutting for works on the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres. 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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#12685097

28 August 2025

'Ecureuils' set up their encampment in one of the plane trees to be cut in Vendine. 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 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. Toulouse, Vendine, France, on August 28, 2025.

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#12685106

28 August 2025

'Ecureuils' set up their encampment in one of the plane trees to be cut in Vendine. 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 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. Toulouse, Vendine, France, on August 28, 2025.

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#12685141

28 August 2025

The four 'Ecureuils' (i.e., 'squirrels') occupy 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, on August 28, 2025, 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.

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#12685144

28 August 2025

An encampment of 'Ecureuils' occupies a plane tree to be cut in Vendine, France, on August 28, 2025. 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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