MONTCLAIR and HOBOKEN – Wherever it was, the students were the heart and drivers of the event.

The banner on St. James Church in Montclair hung from the tower to the base of the front door – a stark white reminder of gun violence.

The church bell tolled 43 times.

For the children killed in Sandy Hook.

For the children killed in Parkland.

U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-9) said enough is enough.

Young people shouldn’t experience this kind of horror.

“Congress needs to lead [on gun reform] or get out of the way,” said the veteran Congressman from Paterson.

One by one, the young gave testimony.

They fear attending school, a fear that grows with the lock down drills.

They text one another, wondering if it’s real.

It is.

They want to vote.

They were passionate.

They made cogent arguments.

They spoke from the heart about violence and kids in class who committed suicide. Powerful words.

The students were the heart and drivers of the events.

Pain.

Pain.

Pain.

And sorrow.

And outrage.