Protesters angry over the death of 21-year old Remi Fraisse confronted French police on Saturday-a violent outburst that left a number of people injured.

Riots broke out in two French cities-Nantes and Toulouse-which saw rubber bullets, tear gas, bottles of acid and stone being hurled across both sides. Police arrested 21 protesters in Nantes, 13 in Toulouse.

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In Nantes, at least five protesters and three police officers were reportedly injured in the standoff.

Protests were also held in Lille, Bordeaux and Avignon, with no reports of violence in those areas.

The gathering on Saturday was held to honor activist Fraisse, who was killed last Sunday in a clash between police and environmentalists at the site of a dam being built near Lisle-sur-Tarn.

Autopsy showed hints of TNT were found on his clothes and skin, suggesting the use of a police stun grenade.

This is the first time a protester died in mainland France since 1986.

While further investigations are underway, the François Hollande-led government has received much criticism for its slow response.

People took their anger to the streets, referring to French police as "murderers" and "pigs". Primarily about environmental causes, the once peaceful rallies have somehow shifted its focus to police brutality.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls condemned the riots, calling it an "insult" to Fraisse's memory. Interior Minister Bernard Cazenueve deemed Saturday's event as "unacceptable", saying he told police to use force only when they had no other choice.

Ecology Minister Segolene Royal plans to bring both parties to a discussion about the future of the dam next week. One side campaigns against the possible destruction of biodiversity, while the other promotes public interest as the dam is hoped to provide irrigation and cultivation of quality crops.

Work on the €8.4 million dam has been suspended since Friday.

TagsRemi Fraisse, Sevens dam, Manuel Valls, Segolene Royal