All hijinks... ever
These are projects carried out over the years by Yes Men and their activist partners. For the full, gory stories behind them, take a peek behind the curtain.
Fake websites
Because a so-called fake website started the Yes Men, we've made dozens more over the years. These websites represent our opponents more transparently than they ever present themselves—making these true websites, not fake! Also, whereas sinister people use trickery to get outcomes, we reveal hoaxes to mobilize.
Videos
These are short videos revealing individual actions, or used within actions, or coming from actions. We've also made a few movies of varying lengths, including three feature-length, that tell complete stories.
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Behind the curtain
Photos
Fake Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2013
Mexico Grants Monsanto Approval To Plant Large-Scale GM Corn Fields
Company Addresses Opponents' Concerns With Museum, Seed Vault Initiatives
MEXICO CITY (Aug 14, 2013): The planting of genetically modified (GM) corn fields on a large commercial scale has been approved by the Mexican Secretariat of Agriculture (SAGARPA). The permit allows the planting of…
Associated Hijinks: Monsanto and the Carnival of Corn
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2013
Monsanto Denounces "Activists" For Hoax Release
Earlier today a fraudulent press release was issued alleging that Monsanto had received a permit to plant 440,000 hectares of GM corn in Northern Mexico. While Monsanto does expect to receive such a permit in the near future, one has not yet been issued.
The release was the work of a group of international…
Associated Hijinks: Monsanto and the Carnival of Corn
This is a transcript of the announcement made by "Daniel Vargas" at the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education on May 30, 2013
It is an honor to be here at NCORE. Today is a historic day and it is fitting for this moment to take place at this conference. Represented here today are faculty and administrators from some of the most prestigious colleges across the…
Associated Hijinks: DREAMers Keep On Dreaming
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May 30, 2013FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Daniel Vargas
Communications Director
The Common Application, Inc.
(Office) 202.430.6048
Common Application, Inc. apologizes, bans discrimination against undocumented students across the country
NEW ORLEANS – Earlier today, The Common Application, Inc. issued a…
Associated Hijinks: DREAMers Keep On Dreaming
February 27, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EIB will exclude all future coal finance as part of its new energy policy
Brussels - The European Investment Bank (EIB) will no longer finance coal fired power plants. The decision is being made in the context of the ongoing review of its Energy Lending Policy in order to better align the bank’s operations with the long-term climate objectives of the…
Associated Hijinks: Bank’s Dodgy Climate Portfolio Revealed
Middlebury College Divests from War in Honor of Dalai Lama VisitFor immediate release: 10/12/12
For further information contact: Tim Schornak, Dalai Lama Welcoming Committee, at (802) 433-4108
Middlebury, VT— Amidst excitement surrounding the visit of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Middlebury College has chosen to demonstrate ethical leadership in fully divesting its endowment from war. The…
Associated Hijinks: The Dalai Lama Welcoming Committee
Houston, TX (October 2, 2012) — Early Monday morning, 71,010 Shell employees received an email from the company's "Grassroots Employee Empowerment Division" providing information on Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum, a pivotal human rights case being argued in the U.S. Supreme Court. The email contained links to news stories, as well as a tool to help employees tweet their feelings about the case…
Associated Hijinks: Murder Is Bad
July 31, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOAXERS IMPERSONATE US ATTORNEY LAURA DUFFY,
THREATEN SAN DIEGO PHARMACIES WITH SHUTDOWN
United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that unknown individuals have forged documents claiming that this office has initiated a shutdown pharmacies in the coastal areas of San Diego County. Many in the community have expressed outrage over the perceived…
Associated Hijinks: Flow of drugs in La Jolla stopped cold
July 27, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN OF PHARMACIES A HOAX:
ROGUE US ATTORNEY DUFFY IS A BENEDICT ARNOLD
San Diego, CA, July 27, 2012 - The “Cease and Desist” orders and “official” press release announcing the closure of pharmacies in San Diego, purportedly originating from the office of US Attorney Laura Duffy, are indeed fake.
This hoax was conducted in retaliation against…
Associated Hijinks: Flow of drugs in La Jolla stopped cold
July 31, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY PUTS PHARMACY OPERATORS AND PROPERTY OWNERS ON NOTICECurbing illegal drug use via shutdowns will keep communities safe
San Diego, CA (July 31, 2012) - United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy today announced enforcement actions against local pharmacies for distribution of drugs for illegal purposes. Immediate enforcement will target…
Associated Hijinks: Flow of drugs in La Jolla stopped cold
Shell considers legal action following launch of fictitious international campaign
Lawyers operating on behalf of Royal Dutch Shell plc. (Shell) are considering formal action against unknown activists who staged a counterfeit campaign launch event at the Seattle Space Needle.
The groups released a stream of social media content, with the defamatory hashtag #shellfail, which deliberately…
Associated Hijinks: Shell's Epic Party Fail
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Bank of America Denounces Hoax, Will Not Need Bailout, Warns Public Not To Be Confused By “YourBofA.com” Fraud
The malicious website (YourBofA.com) that is fraudulently representing itself as a Bank of America re-branding effort is misleading the public; those behind it will be prosecuted to the fullest extent the law allows.
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 18, 2012-- A website…
Associated Hijinks: Your B of A
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Bank of America Corporation has added a news release to its Newsroom.
Bank of America Announces “Your Bank of America” Campaign, Partnership with Taxpayers to Revamp U.S. Banking
Date(s): 18-Apr-2012 9:00 AM
As future clouds, opportunities arise for public synergy
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 18, 2012-- Bank of America today announced the launch of an unprecedented campaign…
Associated Hijinks: Your B of A
See also:
Finished news piece!
McDonald's promo!
Videos of people claiming their Happy Meal!
Associated Hijinks: Three Strikes, You're In!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Three Strikes, You’re In!McDonald's and the New York Police Department Launch Joint Initiative
New York, New York (March 6, 2012) - McDonald's and the New York Police Department are launching "Three Strikes, You're In!," a bold new program that rewards New Yorkers for their patience with the NYPD's "Stop and Frisk" policy.
With "Three Strikes…
Associated Hijinks: Three Strikes, You're In!
PATRIOTS FOR SELF-DEPORTATIONwww.SelfDeport.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS:
E-mail: Stephen Winter, Selfdeport@gmail.com Phone: (717) 585-0628
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/search/realtime/SelfDeport
AUSTIN (November 18, 2011) The grassroots organization Patriots for Self-Deportation, formed last year in response to legislative inaction on the issue of birthright…
Associated Hijinks: Patriots for Self-Deportation
Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU) Announces "Coal Cares™" Initiative, New Nationwide Campaign Against Stigma of Childhood Asthma
ST. LOUIS, May 10, 2011 / PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Peabody Energy today announced the creation of an innovative new public health initiative designed to combat the stigma of asthma among American children ages 0-18. With Coal Cares™ (www.coalcares.org), Peabody will offer…
Associated Hijinks: Coal Cares
The following press release was sent out from GEnewscenters.com (rather than the real GEnewscenter.com) to a few hundred reporters on April 13, 2011. At least one bit—setting off a media firestorm.
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GE Responds to Public Outcry - Will Donate Entire $3.2 Billion Tax Refund to Help Offset Cuts and Save American…
Associated Hijinks: GE Returns Billions to Public Coffers... Not
Mar 15, 2011 09:00 ET
Enbridge Partners With Hair Salons for Cutting-Edge "MyHairCares" Initiative
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - March 15, 2011) - Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB) (NYSE:ENB) today announces MyHairCares (click here for downloadable Video News Release), a program to turn hair clippings solicited from over 1000 hair salons across North America into super-absorbent oil clean-up…
Associated Hijinks: My Hair Cares
This release was issued by the activists condemning their own action on Enbridge's behalf.
Mar 15, 2011 11:00 ETOil Spill Safety Hoax "Irresponsible": EnbridgeCALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - March 15, 2011) - Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB) (NYSE:ENB) and its proposed Northern Gateway Pipelines project were falsely associated with a fraudulent oil spill safety campaign entitled “MyHairCares,” announced…
Associated Hijinks: My Hair Cares
This was a fake attack by Apple against the perpetrators of the iPhoneCF hoax, in which Apple—while condemning the hoaxsters' silliness—called for various real and effective measures to stop conflict mining and the atrocities in the Congo.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 16, 2010
Contact: Caroline Hemmerskjold, Apple
Tel. (408) 676-7923
Email: caroline@apple-cf.comCONFLICT-FREE IPHONE HOAX TOUTS…
Associated Hijinks: Apple Goes "Conflict Free"
Chevron has added a news release to its Investor Relations website.Title: Chevron Deplores Subterfuge, Investigates OptionsDate(s): 18 October. 2010
For a complete listing of our news releases, please click here
Chevron Deplores Subterfuge, Investigates Options
SAN RAMON, Calif., Oct. 18, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Earlier today, a group of environmentalists cyber-posing as Chevron officials…
Associated Hijinks: Chevron Ad Campaign Derailed
Chevron has added a news release to its Investor Relations website.Title: Radical Chevron Ad Campaign Highlights VictimsDate(s): 18 October. 2010
To view this release on the web, please click here
Radical Chevron Ad Campaign Highlights Victims
By honestly featuring oil industry misdeeds, Chevron "We Agree" campaign scores ad industry first
SAN RAMON, Calif., Oct. 18, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --…
Associated Hijinks: Chevron Ad Campaign Derailed
These two releases were sent from a different domain (eg-gc.ca) from the first two (enviro-canada.ca), and they looked somewhat more official.
Canadian Government Deplores Spoof Releases, False Hopes
OTTAWA, Ont. -- December 14, 2009 -- One hour ago, a spoof press release targeted Canada in order to generate hurtful rumors and mislead the Conference of Parties on Canada's positions on climate…
Associated Hijinks: Canada freaks out the world
This press release was also sent out from enviro-canada.ca. Video at bottom.
December 14, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UGANDA CELEBRATES CANADIAN ANNOUNCEMENT
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- The Ugandan delegation to the COP-15 climate talks has been the first to react to Canada's announcement of ambitious new emissions-reduction targets and vigorous climate-debt reparations to African nations. (For…
Associated Hijinks: Canada freaks out the world
Note: This press release was sent out from enviro-canada.ca, and looked pretty good—but not great. (Video at the bottom.)
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December 14, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CANADA ANNOUNCES NEW AGENDA FOR CLIMATE AND WORLD DEVELOPMENTPlan includes stricter emissions reductions and immediate "climate debt" bailouts for most affected countries
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- In a major development coming…
Associated Hijinks: Canada freaks out the world
CONTACTS: Erica Avidus
(202) 596-2357
October 19, 2009
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Announces Free Enterprise Survival StrategyInternal Conflict Resolves in Commitment To Long-Term Prosperity
WASHINGTON, D.C.-The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is throwing its weight behind strong climate legislation, a spokesman for Chamber President Tom J. Donohue announced today at the National Press Club.
"We believe…
Associated Hijinks: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Goes Green