Bad things are going down in Oakland as we type this. Our thoughts are with those on the front line, hoping they come out the other end safe.

• Oakland: Makes the most sense to start here. According to Mercury News, a planned protest this afternoon turned violent after police began firing tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowds. The police claim protestors fought back with “bottles, metal pipe, rocks, spray cans and ‘improvised explosive devices,’ and lit flares.” (IEDs? Is that what they’re calling molotovs these days? —ed.) Noticeably, the article in Mercury points out that the gassing came in response to the actual marches, meaning the gas came first and then the throwing of things. Three officers were hurt; one required stitches, two nothing more than bruising. No word in the article on how many people were hurt by inhaling tear gas and/or having rubber bullets slam into them.
• Toronto: In an update to our roundup from last week, it appears Occupy Toronto has decided to look for a new home rather than fight their eviction notice. A brief note on the announcement and upcoming plans can be found at the Toronto Star.
• Texas: Anonymous has struck again, this time doxing intelligence firm Stalfor and revealing their involvement in planting spies within the Occupy Wall Street movement. Worse is the fact that they cooperated closely with Texas law enforcement while doing it. Check out the skinny over on RT.com, and while you’re at it, note the use of the words “hippy hijinx” to describe what Occupy Wall Street is doing. Classy!
• World Media: The United States plummeted 27 places down the Free Press Index put out by Reporters Without Borders. Slate puts this in perspective: “Last year, the United States came in 20th, sandwiched between the United Kingdom and Canada at 19th and 21st place, respectively. After 2011, however, the United States finds itself tied for 47th place with Romania and Argentina on the list[.]” The full article is available here.
• New York: On a (slightly) more lighthearted note, creative protestors in New York managed to severely disrupt a foreclosure auction in Brooklyn by bursting into song.
• Washington, D.C.: CNN reports on the 99th annual Alfalfa Club dinner getting a visit from Occupy Wall Street. As noted in the article, the President was among those invited to the exclusive dinner for “high-level dignitaries.”
• Also in D.C.: New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen took to the Senate floor on the second anniversary of Citizens United to speak against SuperPACs. In Shaheen’s remarks, she noted “Super PACs have already spent over $30 million in the 2012 cycle and the election is still 10 months away. That amount of money is staggering.” Staggering, indeed. Read the full text of her speech here, at the Concord Monitor.
• Finally, if you’ve ever wondered how your income stacks up against the 1%, you may be able to use Mitt Romney as a proxy. Mittbucks is a site that “puts Romney’s income into perspective for you, showing you what ordinary stuff would have to cost him before he could relate to your daily experience with money.” Not to pick on Mr. Romney, but the figures are immediately sobering.