The body responsible for overseeing the police in France has opened 36 investigations into the conduct of law enforcement since the start of nationwide protests by high school students, BFMTV television reported.
The situation was particularly tense in Lyon, where around 11,000 people took to the streets to protest. According to the Rhône prefecture, nine people were arrested and five others were injured, including four police officers or members of the gendarmerie.
French authorities stated that during the march, several hundred protesters attacked urban furniture, businesses and security forces, throwing objects at them.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez defended the police's actions during a parliamentary session, arguing that the arrests were made when the protests turned violent or property was damaged. "When demonstrations are peaceful, there are no arrests by the police. When there are acts of violence, then yes, there are detentions," he declared.
On the other hand, the Minister of Education, Edouard Geffray, announced that 88,000 high school students have participated in a government consultation platform, created to gather the concerns and demands of young people.
Meanwhile, the head of the CGT union, Sophie Binet, called for a nationwide strike and protests on November 5. She demanded wage increases, more funding for public services and a withdrawal of the budget that she described as austerity.
The opening of investigations into police conduct comes at a time when French authorities face pressure over their handling of the protests, as clashes and arrests have increased tensions on the country's streets.
