A69: Riot Police Try To Dislodge 4ecureuils' At The 'Crem'Arbre' ZAD, Saix, France - 20 Feb 2024

Gendarmes Mobiles are repelling sympathizers of 'Ecureuils,' who are living in the trees to block their cutting for the A69 highway. In the woods in Saix, Tarn Departement, on the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres, opponents have installed a ZAD dubbed 'Crem'Arbre,' and 'Ecureuils' are living in the trees to prevent them from being cut down. The Gendarmes Mobiles 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. They have cleared the nearby area of all opponents, and a special unit of policemen, CNAMO, is intervening to dislodge the 'Ecureuils' from their trees. After two days of police efforts, they have dislodged only one 'Ecureuil.' The LDH (Human Rights League) has come to give medical supplies to the 'Ecureuils.' However, new trees are being occupied by 'Ecureuils' in a new place called 'Cal'Arbre.' The main collective 'La Voie est Libre' wants the construction of the highway to be stopped until all the judicial decisions on the matter are given. All expropriations for farmers have not been cleared. Opponents of this project argue 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 is projected to 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. In Saix, Tarn, France, on February 21, 2024.