On November 10, in two separate incidents, two people were shot and killed during protests on the east and west coasts of the United States.

On the west coast, in Oakland, California, what appears to be a gang shooting took the life of a man who might have used the protest to try an hide from his killers.  Occupy Oakland demonstrators claim the man was not part of the protest.

On the east coast, in Burlington, Vermont, a 35 year old War on Terror veteran shot and killed himself as a form of protest.  Occupy Burlington demonstrators say the man told them of the government’s failure to help him with a condition he developed due to his military service: “This person has clearly needed more help than we were capable of giving him here at this park.”– Emily Reynolds, University of Vermont student

Back in Oakland, paranoid city officials are ignorantly blaming the possible gang shooting on the Occupy protestors: “I have been very vocal on the fact that this cannot continue. I think fear has become a reality. They should pack up and leave, if not, we should take whatever action is necessary.”– Ignacio De La Fuente, Oakland City Councilman

In Burlington, the veteran’s protest by suicide has encouraged more people to openly protest.  It’s also encouraged the Burlington police to get violent: “We’re dealing with a large group of people. We have stuff available. We have to.”-Andi Higbee, Deputy Police Chief

Burlington media says up until the veteran’s suicide local officials had been tolerant of the Occupy protest.  That has changed, and the mayor of Burlington is even using the suicide to mount an anti-gun campaign: “We need to reflect on guns in Vermont.”-Bob Kiss, Burlington mayor