"stepped seating"

#13035675

28 November 2025

A sheet reads 'Lawyer' on a bench inside the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse before the hearings. A rare hearing takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse: plaintiffs against the A69 are joined by the SAF (Union of French Lawyers) to request the recusal of two judges of the panel who participated in a ruling reauthorizing the continuation of works on the planned A69 highway. Plaintiffs have already asked these judges to recuse themselves, and they refused. Plaintiffs go to the Administrative Court of Appeal, stating that these judges must be recused to protect the confidence of French citizens in the administrative courts and the entire judicial system. Lawyers also plead for the impartiality of justice. More than a dozen lawyers are present as this is a very rare case in the French justice system. According to custom, if a judge has already judged a case, he recuses himself if the same case goes to court again. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free'), opponents want the construction 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. This takes place in Toulouse, France, on November 28, 2025.

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#13035676

28 November 2025

Lawyers for the plaintiffs discuss before the hearings. A rare hearing takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse, France, on November 28, 2025, with plaintiffs against the A69 joined by the SAF (Union of French Lawyers) to request the recusal of two judges of the panel who participated in a ruling reauthorizing the continuation of works on the planned A69 highway. Plaintiffs have already asked these judges to recuse themselves, and they refused. Plaintiffs go to the Administrative Court of Appeal, stating these judges must be recused to protect the confidence of French citizens in the administrative courts and the entire judicial system. Lawyers also plead for the impartiality of justice. More than a dozen lawyers are present as this is a very rare case in the French justice system. According to custom, if a judge has already judged a case, he recuses himself if the same case goes again in courts. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') wants the construction 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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#13035678

28 November 2025

A poster reads 'Lawyers Environment' inside the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse. A rare hearing takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse: plaintiffs against the A69 are joined by the SAF (Union of French Lawyers) to request the recusal of two judges of the panel who participated in a ruling reauthorizing the continuation of works on the planned A69 highway. Plaintiffs have already asked these judges to recuse themselves, and they refused. Plaintiffs go to the Administrative Court of Appeal, stating these judges must be recused to protect the confidence of French citizens in the administrative courts and the entire judicial system. Lawyers also plead for the impartiality of justice. More than a dozen lawyers are present, as this is a very rare case in the French justice system. According to custom, if a judge has already judged a case, he recuses himself if the same case goes to court again. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') wants the construction 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 costs EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers. This takes place in Toulouse, France, on November 28, 2025.

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#13035679

28 November 2025

An opponent of the planned A69 highway holds a placard reading 'to fight is good for health' in front of the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse after the hearings. A rare hearing takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse, where plaintiffs against the A69 are joined by the SAF (Union of French Lawyers) to request the recusal of two judges who participated in a ruling that reauthorized the continuation of work on the planned A69 highway. Plaintiffs have already asked these judges to recuse themselves, but they refused. Plaintiffs go to the Administrative Court of Appeal, stating that these judges must be recused to protect the confidence of French citizens in the administrative courts and the entire judicial system. Lawyers also argue for the impartiality of the justice system. More than a dozen lawyers are present, as this is a very rare case in the French justice system. According to custom, if a judge has already judged a case, he recuses himself if the same case goes to court again. The main association, 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free'), wants the construction of the highway to be stopped until all judicial decisions on the matter are made. 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 in Toulouse, France, on November 28, 2025.

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#13035680

28 November 2025

Gilles Garric, an opponent, speaks after the hearing on the recusal of some judges. A rare hearing takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse, France, on November 28, 2025. Plaintiffs against the A69 are joined by the SAF (Union of French Lawyers) to request the recusal of two judges of the panel who participated in a ruling reauthorizing the continuation of works on the planned A69 highway. Plaintiffs have already asked these judges to recuse themselves, and they refused. Plaintiffs go to the Administrative Court of Appeal, stating that these judges must be recused to protect the confidence of French citizens in the administrative courts and the entire judicial system. Lawyers also plead for the impartiality of justice. More than a dozen lawyers are present, as this is a very rare case in the French justice system. According to custom, if a judge has already judged a case, he recuses himself if the same case goes to court again. The main association, 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free'), wants the construction 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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#13035681

28 November 2025

Lawyer Alice Terrasse for the plaintiffs speaks to the press after the hearings. A rare hearing takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse, France, on November 28, 2025, where plaintiffs against the A69 are joined by the SAF (Union of French Lawyers) to request the recusal of two judges of the panel who participated in a ruling reauthorizing the works to continue on the planned A69 highway. Plaintiffs have already asked these judges to recuse themselves, and they refused. Plaintiffs go to the Administrative Court of Appeal, stating these judges must be recused to protect the confidence of French citizens in the administrative courts and the entire judicial system. Lawyers also plead for the impartiality of the justice system. More than a dozen lawyers are present as this is a very rare case in the French justice system. According to custom, if a judge has already judged a case, he recuses himself if the same case goes again in courts. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') wants the building of the highway to be stopped until all the 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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#13035683

28 November 2025

Lawyers for the plaintiffs discuss before the hearings. A rare hearing takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse, France, on November 28, 2025. Plaintiffs against the A69 are joined by the SAF (Union of French Lawyers) to request the recusal of two judges of the panel who participated in a ruling that reauthorized the continuation of works on the planned A69 highway. Plaintiffs have already asked these judges to recuse themselves, and they refused. Plaintiffs go to the Administrative Court of Appeal, stating that these judges must be recused to protect the confidence of French citizens in the administrative courts and the entire judicial system. Lawyers also plead for the impartiality of the justice system. More than a dozen lawyers are present, as this is a very rare case in the French justice system. According to custom, if a judge has already judged a case, they recuse themselves if the same case goes to court again. The main association, 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free'), wants the construction 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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#13035684

28 November 2025

A rare hearing takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse, France, on November 28, 2025, where plaintiffs against the A69 are joined by the SAF (Union of French Lawyers) to request the recusal of two judges from the panel who participated in a ruling that reauthorized the continuation of work on the planned A69 highway. Plaintiffs have already asked these judges to recuse themselves, but they refused. Plaintiffs approach the Administrative Court of Appeal, stating that these judges must be recused to protect the confidence of French citizens in the administrative courts and the entire judicial system. Lawyers also argue for the impartiality of justice. More than a dozen lawyers are present, as this is a very rare case in the French justice system. According to custom, if a judge has already judged a case, they recuse themselves if the same case returns to court. The main association, 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free'), wants the construction of the highway to be stopped until all judicial decisions on the content are made. Opponents of the project say that the reprofiling of 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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#13035685

28 November 2025

Someone holds a placard reading 'Recusation of the judges for a fair Justice' in front of the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse. A rare hearing takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse, France, on November 28, 2025. Plaintiffs against the A69 are joined by the SAF (Union of French Lawyers) to request the recusation of two judges from the panel who participated in a ruling that reauthorized the continuation of works on the planned A69 highway. Plaintiffs have already asked these judges to recuse themselves, but they refused. Plaintiffs go to the Administrative Court of Appeal, stating that these judges must be recused to protect the confidence of French citizens in the administrative courts and the entire judicial system. Lawyers also plead for the impartiality of the justice system. More than a dozen lawyers are present, as this is a very rare case in the French justice system. According to custom, if a judge has already judged a case, they recuse themselves if the same case returns to court. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') wants the construction of the highway to be stopped until all judicial decisions on the content are made. 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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#12685145

28 August 2025

A policewoman observes 'Ecureuils' setting up their encampment in 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 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 states 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 costs 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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#12534650

6 July 2025

The police forces stand behind a barricade. Opponents of the planned A69 highway gather in the Tarn department in Maurens-Scopont for a weekend of protests called 'Turboteuf' at the Maurens-Scopont castle. After protesters attempt to break into the work site to reach a bridge, riot police and protesters scuffle. Riot police use volleys of tear gas canisters. The decision of the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse approves the resumption of leveling works on the A69 highway. The Administrative Court of Toulouse decides on February 27 to suspend all works on the A69 highway project between Toulouse and Castres. NGE/Atosca files an appeal against this decision and asks the Court to allow the works to continue during the time the appeal is judged. Two senators and two MPs from the Tarn department propose a retroactive law to authorize the building of the A69, stating they want to bypass the decision of the Administrative Court of Toulouse. Atosca states all leveling works have begun and that more than 70% of highway structures are completed. However, the leveling works and highway structures do not match the numbers given by Atosca. Additionally, several problems plague the work, such as water evacuation and protection of species. 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 are made. All expropriations for farmers are not cleared. 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. This takes place in Maurens-Scopont, Tarn, France, on July 6, 2025.

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#12534655

6 July 2025

Opponents of the planned A69 highway gather in Maurens-Scopont, Tarn department, France, for a weekend of protests called 'Turboteuf' at the domain of the Maurens-Scopont castle. After protesters try to break into the work site to reach a bridge, riot police and protesters scuffle. Riot police use volleys of tear gas canisters. The decision of the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse greenlights the resumption of leveling works on the A69 highway. The Administrative Court of Toulouse decides on February 27 to suspend all works on the A69 highway project between Toulouse and Castres. NGE/Atosca files an appeal against this decision and asks the court to allow the works to continue during the time the appeal is judged. Two senators and two MPs from the Tarn department propose a retroactive law to authorize the building of the A69, stating they want to bypass the decision of the Administrative Court of Toulouse. Atosca states all leveling works have begun and that more than 70% of highway structures are completed. However, the leveling works and highway structures do not match the numbers given by Atosca. Additionally, several problems plague the work, such as water evacuation and protection of species. 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 are made. All expropriations for farmers are not cleared. 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.

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#12437137

2 June 2025

The open-air stage and surrounding stepped seating area are at the Vystaviste Exhibition Grounds in Prague, Czech Republic, on May 12, 2025. The amphitheater is used for public events, cultural performances, and outdoor gatherings within the modern exhibition complex.

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#12420527

28 May 2025

A man speaks in front of banners reading 'Stop A69'. In Toulouse, France, on May 28, 2025, opponents of the planned A69 highway gather after the decision of the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse, which allows the resumption of leveling works on the A69 highway. The Administrative Court of Toulouse decides on February 27 to suspend all works on the A69 project highway between Toulouse and Castres. NGE/Atosca files an appeal against this decision and asks the Court to let the works continue during the time the appeal is judged. Two senators and two MPs from the Tarn department propose a retroactive law to authorize the building of the A69, stating they want to bypass the decision of the Administrative Court of Toulouse. Atosca claims all leveling works have begun and that more than 70% of highway structures are completed. However, the leveling works and highway structures do not match the numbers given by Atosca. Additionally, several problems plague the work, such as water evacuation and protection of species. 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 are made. All expropriations for farmers are not cleared. 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.

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#12420529

28 May 2025

Thomas Brail, founder of the GNSA, holds a banner reading 'Stop A69'. In Toulouse, France, on May 28, 2025, opponents of the planned A69 highway gather after the decision of the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse, which greenlights the resumption of leveling works on the A69 highway. The Administrative Court of Toulouse decides on February 27 to suspend all works on the A69 project highway between Toulouse and Castres. NGE/Atosca files an appeal against this decision and asks the Court to allow the works to continue during the time the appeal is judged. Two senators and two MPs from the Tarn department propose a retroactive law to authorize the building of the A69, stating they want to bypass the decision of the Administrative Court of Toulouse. Atosca claims all leveling works have begun and that more than 70% of highway structures are completed. However, the leveling works and highway structures do not match the numbers given by Atosca. Additionally, several problems plague the work, such as water evacuation and protection of species. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') and opponents want the building of the highway to be stopped until all judicial decisions on the content are given. All expropriations for farmers are not cleared. 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.

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#12420531

28 May 2025

A woman holds a placard reading 'A69 Stop! protest against the highway'. In Toulouse, France, on May 28, 2025, opponents of the planned A69 highway gather after the decision of the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse, which greenlights the resumption of leveling works on the A69 highway. The Administrative Court of Toulouse decides on February 27 to suspend all works on the A69 project highway between Toulouse and Castres. NGE/Atosca files an appeal against this decision and asks the Court to allow the works to continue during the time the appeal is judged. Two senators and two MPs from the Tarn department propose a retroactive law to authorize the building of the A69, stating they want to bypass the decision of the Administrative Court of Toulouse. Atosca claims all leveling works have begun and that more than 70% of highway structures are completed. However, the leveling works and highway structures do not match the numbers given by Atosca. Additionally, several problems plague the work, such as water evacuation and protection of species. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') and opponents want the building of the highway to be stopped until all judicial decisions on the content are given. All expropriations for farmers are not cleared. 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. More than 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural fields will be destroyed.

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