French police clash with protesters in Paris
French police have clashed with protesters rallying in Paris for the fourth consecutive weekend against police brutality and a controversial security bill that restricts filming on-duty police officers.
Police used water cannon against hundreds of people, who had gathered at the Place de la Republique on Saturday.
Police said it made some 50 arrests during the protest rally.
French media reports put the number of the detainees at more than 80, though.
France has been hit by a wave of street protests since the government of President Emmanuel Macron introduced a piece of legislation known as the Global Security Bill in November.
If approved, it will restrict taking and sharing photos of police "with malevolent intent."
This has prompted anger among people, who say it would make it difficult to document potential police brutality.
Protests further intensified after footage emerged of white police officers beating a black music producer in Paris last month.
Police officers followed the man, identified as music producer Michel Zecler, into his music studio and began repeatedly punching him and beating him with a baton. They also subjected Zecler to racial abuse.
The police were unaware they were being filmed by a surveillance camera.
Four officers involved in the violent arrest were charged with "willful violence by a person holding public authority" and "forgery."
In response to the backlash, Macron said earlier this week that there was an "urgent need" to reform the security forces.
Macron will hold a summit next month to review community relations and the working conditions of the police.
His party also said the draft article on filming police would be rewritten.
The president admitted that "some officers" were violent and that they "must be punished." Macron said an internet platform would be set up in January so "people can say where they are discriminated against and in what way."
His remarks prompted a backlash from police, who held a small rally in Paris on Friday.
Although police have no right to strike or protest in France, a group of about 50 police officers gathered with their vehicles, with some officers threatening to stop carrying out identity checks.
"We just want to say to the president and politicians that we are neither racist nor violent," said one officer.
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