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France’s police watchdog has opened 36 investigations into police conduct since nationwide high school student protests began, broadcaster “BFMTV” reported on Tuesday.
In Lyon, 11,000 people took part in a demonstration, with nine people arrested and five injured, including four police officers or gendarmes, the Rhône prefecture said.
Several hundred people attacked street furniture, businesses and security forces with projectiles during the march, the prefecture added.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez defended police arrests during a parliamentary session, saying officers intervened when demonstrations turned violent or property was damaged.
“When demonstrations take place peacefully, there are no police arrests. When there are acts of violence, then, yes, there are detentions,” he said.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray said 88,000 high school students had taken part in a government consultation platform intended to gather young people’s concerns.
Meanwhile, CGT union leader Sophie Binet called for a nationwide strike and demonstrations on Nov. 5. She demanded higher wages, more funding for public services and the withdrawal of what she described as an austerity budget.
