Demographically speaking, I have always described myself as being on the tail end of the Boomer generation. Recently I learned that those of us born between 1954 and 1965 form a separate cohort called “Generation Jones.” We were too young to participate in anti-war protests and the other movements that Boomers identify with; we were just trying to keep up, hence the “Jones” reference. The Watergate scandal broke in the early 1970’s. To me, the high school dance was more important. To my older sibling and her cohort, Watergate sparked a profound and lasting sense of disillusionment in government.

The sociologist Karl Mannheim argued that a generation becomes a true social force only when its members experience formative events in their youth—wars, economic upheaval, or revolution. The Joneses are considered an “in-between” generation. We grew up when everything was analog, but we adapted to a digital world; we listened to transistor radios but were the audience that supported music-via-video and MTV. One could argue that these were profound changes but there was no collective rallying call to oppose a computer on every desk or Madonna’s video, Like a Prayer.

October 18, 2025, No Kings protests happened all over the U.S., Canada and Europe. The age of participants ranged from senior Boomers, (who are proud to say they’ve been here before), to young teenagers. The motivation to participate transcends the stereotypical behavioural expectations that usually define Boomers, Joneses, Gen-X, and Gen-Z. Please note that all cohorts were carrying equally salty signs.

There are many historical examples of people across generations joining together for social change. The anti-apartheid movement crossed generations, as did the Me Too movement, climate change, and civil rights. This “No Kings” call to action has everything to do with objecting to the current political environment. This time, this movement, these loud objections, have nothing to do with generational cohorts but everything to do with shared purpose.

Keep your joy.

Anne Milne is an every Sunday blogger, unless it’s a holiday weekend. Or summertime.