France.Riot at the great Paris demonstration against Macron's controversial security law
Four French policemen
appeared in court on Sunday
, accused of having beaten and insulted a black music producer, an incident that shocked France and intensified controversy over new security legislation.
Tens of thousands protested across France on Saturday against a security bill
, which would restrict the right of the press to publish the faces of the on-duty police.
In Paris, the demonstration ended with clashes.
The beating of music producer Michel Zecler,
revealed in a video released last week
, has exacerbated criticism of the police in France, accused of institutionalized racism and of targeting blacks and Arabs.
In Paris, the demonstrations ended with the burning of a bar-restaurant, as well as several cars.
The protesters threw stones at the security forces, who responded with tear gas.
Among the injured was a Syrian photojournalist, Ameer al Habi
, who collaborates with AFP.
According to the police, 62 officers were injured in the demonstrations and 81 people were arrested.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the violence in the protests was "unacceptable".
Four policemen were arrested for the Zecler beating, and three of them
are being specifically investigated for using racial violence
and making false statements.
After being questioned by the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN), they were handed over to the judicial authorities who will have to decide the next steps, including the indictment.
The bill would criminalize the publication of images of police officers on duty
if there is an intention to damage their "physical or psychological integrity
.
"
The text was approved by the National Assembly although it is pending approval by the Senate.
The controversy over this law and police violence
has turned into another crisis for the Government of President Emmanuel Macron
, which is facing the pandemic and its economic consequences, as well as a series of problems on the international stage.
Macron said Friday that the images of Zecler's beating "shame us" and called on the French government to come up with proposals to "fight discrimination."
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