2024-09-07 17:13:13
The battle of the A69 is not over. The day after the Tarn prefecture issued a press release announcing that “the concessionaire has recovered full ownership of its land in the commune of Saïx” and that “deforestation operations in the Tarn department are completely completed”, This is the message that opponents of the 53-kilometre motorway project between Toulouse and Castres wanted to convey.
“We are committed to going all the way, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, we will not give in,” said a ZAD activist, face covered, presenting himself under the pseudonym of Camille, during a press conference, Saturday, September 7, in Toulouse. While sixty to seventy trees have been cut down on the territory of the commune of Saïx since September 1is september, “The battle of the trees is not over even if it is a tipping point in our struggle”the activist judged, reporting a “unwavering determination”. “The feelings that predominate are rage and anger. We will transform them into actions to continue to resist.”he said, calling for a rally on Sunday, September 8, on a private field, lent “to think about what comes next”.
On Friday morning, the police intervened to dislodge the last four occupants perched in the trees of the Cal’Arbre site, named after the zone to defend (ZAD), located at the place called La Calarié, in Saïx in the Tarn. “This was a surprise intervention while the “squirrels” were sleeping without harnesses”says another opponent of the A69, wearing a black scarf over his face. “By escaping the CNAMO gendarmes [une cellule nationale d’aide à la mobilité], Two of them fell from a height of seven meters. Our comrades were hospitalized. They were then taken into custody before being released last night in the middle of the countryside. An opponent of the project is still in the branches of an oak tree at Cal’Arbre.
Dozens of kilometers from Saïx, in Verfeil, a commune in Haute-Garonne, there remains one last blockage on the route of the future highway. Since March 27, 2023, “the orchard” has been occupied by opponents who have set up tents and huts in the garden to hinder the cutting down of around thirty trees. This 8,000 m² area, which was the target of a fire on the night of August 31 to 1is September around 4 a.m., has been hosting a tenant since 2013, as well as her young son. The latter, despite three offers of housing and financial compensation of 20,000 euros offered by the motorway concessionaire Atosca, owner of the premises since March 2023, still occupies the house.
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What are the main environmental concerns associated with the construction of the A69 motorway in southern France?
Table of Contents
French Environmental Activists Continue to Protest Controversial A69 Motorway
The construction of the A69 motorway in southern France has sparked intense protests from environmental activists, who are determined to halt the project. The proposed 53-kilometer motorway will connect the towns of Castres and Toulouse, but opponents argue that it will have devastating environmental consequences.
Protests have been ongoing for months, with thousands of people taking to the streets to voice their opposition to the project. In June 2024, up to 7,000 protesters demonstrated against the project, leading to a ban on further demonstrations by local authorities [[2]]. Despite this, activists have continued to rally against the motorway, with a recent protest in Verfeil, Haute-Garonne, where opponents have set up tents and huts to block the route of the future highway [[3]].
The motorway project has been deemed a “climaticide” project by opponents, who argue that it will lead to the destruction of natural habitats and contribute to climate change. In recent weeks, police have intervened to dislodge protesters from trees in the Cal’Arbre site, named after the zone to defend (ZAD), in Saïx, Tarn. On Friday, September 7, police intervened to remove the last four occupants from the trees, with two protesters falling from a height of seven meters and
Protests Intensify Against the Controversial A69 Motorway in Southern France
As of September 7, 2024, the controversy surrounding the A69 motorway project in southern France continues to escalate. Climate activist Greta Thunberg joined a banned anti-motorway protest in southern France on February 10, 2024, where police fired tear gas and made arrests a day earlier [[1]][[3]]. The protests are a response to the construction of the 53-kilometre motorway project between Toulouse and Castres, which opponents argue is a “climaticide” project that will have devastating environmental consequences.
The A69 motorway project has been a rallying point for opponents of “climaticide” projects, with thousands taking to the streets to protest its construction [[2]]. The project has sparked widespread criticism, with many arguing that it will lead to deforestation, habitat destruction, and increased carbon emissions.
Despite the backlash, the Tarn prefecture issued a press release on September 1, 2024, announcing that the concessionaire had recovered full ownership of its land in the commune of Saïx and that deforestation operations in the Tarn department were completely completed. However, opponents of the project remain undeterred, determined to stop its construction.
Greta Thunberg’s involvement in the protests has brought international attention to the issue, highlighting the urgent need for action on climate change. Her participation in the banned protest demonstrates her commitment to fighting against environmental destruction and promoting sustainable development.
The A69 motorway project is just one example of the many “climaticide” projects being pushed forward despite the looming climate crisis. As the world grapples with the consequences of climate change, it is essential that we prioritize sustainable development and environmental protection over short-term economic gains.
The battle against the A69 motorway project is far from over. As the protests continue to intensify, it is crucial that we remain vigilant and take action against projects that threaten our planet’s future.
References:
[[1]]https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240210-greta-thunberg-joins-banned-french-anti-motorway-protest
[[2]]https://www.imago-images.com/st/0447890653
[[3]]https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-11/greta-thunberg-joins-banned-french-anti-motorway-protest/103452626
