It’s been unbelievably devastating to watch supposedly secure spaces desecrated by violence, one by one. High schools, movie theaters, malls, workplaces, temples, college campuses. And now we add elementary schools trimmed in holiday cheer to the list. It’s unreal. And it conjures up the familiar feelings of helplessness.

But something different did happen today. Fewer people seemed to fall into despair-induced paralysis. We all felt unimaginable sadness, of course. But the hopeless sorrow seemed quickly overshadowed by overwhelming outrage. Anger. Action. This can’t keep happening.