French police use a water cannon as they face off with demonstrators at the Place de la Republique in Paris on Saturday. (Photo: Reuters)

Paris, December 12 (RHC)-- 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.  French 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."