On Wednesday, a police car was set on fire in Paris by anti-police brutality protesters. The incident took place on the central Quai de Valmy street, as people gathered for a rally titled "Anti-Cop Hatred."
"All this clearly demonstrates a desire to harm, injure or even worse, and that is unacceptable. The rule of law is our most valuable asset, sanctions must be merciless," Valls told RTL Radio.
The anti-police brutality activists planned its own protest to be held in Paris on the same day but the action was prohibited by the city's authorities.
In recent months, mass demonstrations in French cities against reforms to labor laws have led to clashes between activists and law enforcement. Some protesters have shouted anti-police slogans, breaking windows and throwing bottles and stones at police officers. Police have responded by using batons and tear-gas. According to the Alliance Police Nationale, hundreds of officers have been injured during the clashes.
