Police have deployed teargas during a protest against police brutality in Paris after the protesters hurled stones at security forces.

The rally was being held at the Place de la Republique in eastern Paris, where police have set up a security cordon and closed the local metro station, République. Around 2,300 people were at the protest, Le Parisien reported.

It is the latest in a series of similar gatherings in the French capital over the course of February, which have previously ended in violence.

Although the protest officially ended at 4:15pm local time, many participants continued to linger at the site, and clashes broke out with police after projectiles were thrown, leading to teargas being deployed.

According to reports, a police officer was injured as the clashes broke out.

A handful of politicians, including Noël Mamère of the environmentalist Green Party and Senate member Esther Benbassa were at the rally, according to local media.

Jets de pavé contre charge CRS / policiers place de la Republique. #rassemblementpourtheo#theopic.twitter.com/e9YAMhoQuB — Philippe Antoine (@antoine88235024) February 18, 2017

A number of marchers were holding up signs saying “Justice for Theo,” referring to a 22-year-old black man who was allegedly raped and assaulted by police officers using a baton on February 2, during what was said to be a routine ID check. ‘Theo,’ a local youth worker whose full name has not yet been released, then spent two weeks in the hospital.

Mobilisation sauvage de soutien à #Théo à Paris : les heurts entre manifestants et forces de l'ordre se multiplient https://t.co/yRv7zBrteRpic.twitter.com/opfyiN7GE8 — RT France (@RTenfrancais) February 18, 2017