“Thoughts and prayers are not enough!” That sentiment motivated marchers across the nation Saturday, including in New Jersey, in rallies against gun violence. Galvanized by the massacre at Uvalde and the unending mass shootings in America, the grassroots movement demanded reforms and called on Congress to pass a checklist of gun control measures. Stefany Mayz told a march in Ocean City, “We are here today to end gun violence, to expand background checks, to encourage buy-back programs, to ban high-capacity assault rifles — weapons of war.”

Behind the scenes, a group of U.S. senators hashed out a modest bipartisan agreement. It is backed by the minimum ten Republicans required to break a filibuster, and ten Democrats including New Jersey’s Sen. Cory Booker. But the senators’ proposal falls far short of what reformers have demanded.