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.
Bank of England Goes Green
Fake news!!! But what else can you do when the central bank of a rather important country seems to have no clue whatsoever how to stop climate catastrophe?
Bankers and climate activists alike were surprised when the UK’s central Bank of England…
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Doctors for Opening America
No president ever positioned himself more as a god than Donald Trump. And this god demanded human sacrifice. Could we warn the victims in time? Inspired by our 2012 project against Shell, we tried making a website to do just that, by supposedly…
Active Dates:
-
Reveal Dates:
Belfast Gets Brilliant
Belfast City Council, under pressure from citizens, cancelled a massive investor-focused development project in order to focus on social housing instead. They did so with an announcement at a big manufacturing conference, on bus stops and billboards…
Active Dates:
-
Reveal Dates:
Yenning for a Coal-Free Future
One day after a hoax impersonation shamed Mizuho and other banks for financing new coal power plants against their own industry standards, the real Mizuho announced that they plan to limit their coal-financing policies in the future. Sadly, that…
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
BlackRock Does the Right Thing
In the early morning of January 16, a few hours before announcing their fourth-quarter 2018 earnings, Laurence Fink, CEO of the biggest asset management company, received an email copy of his annual letter to investors. There was just one problem:…
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Trump Is Over - If You Want It
Early on January 16, thousands of commuters in Washington, D.C. were handed a spitting image of the Washington Post (click for online version), dated May 1, 2019. In the paper — the result of a women-led six-month project — Trump had fled office…
Active Dates:
-
Reveal Dates:
VW Commits to Ending Fossil Fuel Addiction
In the wake of their criminal diesel emissions scandal, a repentant “Volkswagen” announced that they were going to launch an all-out war on climate change—starting with the behavior at the root of the problem: our addiction to fossil fuels.
The…
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Somos El Muro (We Are the Wall)
A group of ultra-right, pro-Trump Mexicans announce a solution to Trump's wall-building difficulties: they themselves will be that wall. In fact they already are: xenophobic Mexicans routinely make life difficult for Central American migrants, and…
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Trump Election Reporting Devices
The morning after the November 2016 election, our plan was to announce, in the name of the defeated Trump, a new Trump voting machine that would make sure the 2020 election went better than this one. The idea was to shock triumphant Clinton voters…
Active Dates:
-
Reveal Dates:
Anger Marketing at Roskilde
140,000 people came to see some of the biggest musical acts, speakers, and events at Roskilde Festival 2016, not far from Copenhagen, Denmark. But many were dismayed to find posted signs at entrances stating the festival would be collecting and…
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
UN Ends the War on Drugs
During the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on the world drug problem—whose dates strangely centered on April 20, or 4/20—the LA Times quoted the UN's new plan to decriminalize marijuana, end the war on drugs, and puts its…
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Pfizer Drops Drug Prices
Outside their headquarters in New York City, a Pfizer spokesperson gave a shocking announcement on April 1, 2016. “Pfizer will be cutting the price of over 100 medicines.” Cheers rang out from the nearly 100 activists gathered in expectation of this…
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
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.
Talks
These are the presentations we've made at corporate conferences over the years. For maximum effect, wear ill-fitting shoes and slouch in a folding chair as you click through them.

Associated Hijinks: DNC Takeback

Associated Hijinks: NRA Shares the Safety
Associated Hijinks: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Goes Green

Associated Hijinks: Dow's Golden Skeleton

Associated Hijinks: The Web Police vs the Yes Men
Associated Hijinks: Let Them Eat Hamburger

Associated Hijinks: The WTO's Golden Phallus
Videos
These are a few standalone short pieces we or our partners have made. For videos that reveal actions, are used within actions, or come out of actions, see our hijinks videos page.
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Active Dates:
Reveal Dates:
Behind the curtain
These are the secret stories of actions that Yes Men have been a part of—in all their complexity, and not as a movie or press release represented them. Be sure to check out the lessons we learned from these and other adventures; some might even be useful!
Photos
These are photos from various actions, usually in high-res.
Fake Press Releases
Press advisory: Beware fake Bank of England climate announcement
7 December 2020
Early this morning an unidentified party emailed a press announcement claiming to be from the Bank of England. The email and accompanying website falsely reported that the Bank had resolved to implement stronger measures to address climate risks.
The Bank will not take action to…
Associated Hijinks: Bank of England Goes Green
NGFS welcomes the Bank of England’s climate-risk policy changes
Paris, December 7th 2020
The Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) collectively supports the Bank of England’s announcement that it will screen and exclude carbon-intensive sectors from its Corporate Bond Purchase Scheme (CBPS). The decision stands as a first step to enable the Bank to reduce…
Associated Hijinks: Bank of England Goes Green
Asset Purchase Facility corporate bond purchase scheme: press notice on updates to eligibility and sectors
Information on how we are incorporating climate-related risk into our corporate bond purchases
Published on 7 December 2020
Following authorisation from the Chancellor, the Bank is announcing today changes to the Corporate Bond Purchase Scheme (CBPS or “the…
Associated Hijinks: Bank of England Goes Green
President Donald J. Trump Launches Initiative to Give Doctors a Real Voice OPENING AMERICA AGAIN | Issued on: May 13, 2020
Today, the White House Reopen America Task Force launched an exciting new initiative, DoctorsForOpeningAmerica.com, to give medical professionals a long-missing voice in supporting the President's plan to reopen America.
"So many doctors, nurses, and EMTs have…
Associated Hijinks: Doctors for Opening America
It was after we distributed these brochures (pdf) all over the Belfast Chamber of Commerce's "urban revitalization" conference that the Belfast City Council threatened to sue PPR and to involve the police.
Associated Hijinks: Belfast Gets Brilliant
On Enbridge website
Terminal 19 Miles of Line 3 Replacement Project Will Not Displace Duluth Businesses, Residents
October 28, 2019
Company presentation caused dismay among corporate and government leaders
DULUTH, MN - On Saturday, October 26, representatives of the Indigenous Pipeline Council (IPC) gave a presentation to local business and political leaders in Duluth. They claimed that the…
Associated Hijinks: "Fake" releases
Statement from Minnesotans for Line 3 About the IPC Plan for Duluth
On Saturday, representatives of the Indigenous Pipeline Council, a Native-led energy solutions company, gave a presentation to members of the Duluth business and political community. Some supporters of Minnesotans for Line 3 were in attendance.
The IPC described their plan to reroute the last 19 miles of the Line 3…
Associated Hijinks: "Fake" releases
On Indigenous Pipeline Council website
Peace Pipeline Signals New Era for Energy Transport
Duluth terminal segment a great leap forward in technology, justice
Duluth, MN — The Indigenous Pipeline Council has launched a promising new vision for the future of energy in America.
Before a rapt local audience on Saturday, the native-led IPC outlined plans to reroute the last 19 miles of…
Associated Hijinks: "Fake" releases
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
1 OCTOBER 2019
STATEMENT BY THE EXECUTIVE MAYOR DAN PLATO
Executive Mayor Dan Plato denies apartheid link, announces sweeping new policy to address segregation
A misleading and slanderous protest in the Cape Town City Centre yesterday tried to link Mayor Dan Plato to the apartheid-era National Party. Today we announce a suite of major policy…
Associated Hijinks: Nats Never Die
Human Error Caused Unauthorized EP4 Leak
EP SECRETARIAT -- The EP Association wishes to apologize for confusion caused by a rough-draft Equator Principles 4 that was mistakenly sent yesterday to all Equator Principles Financial Institutions (EPFIs) and members of the press. It was the result of human error and misplaced hopefulness, and should not be construed as the final edition of the EP4…
Associated Hijinks: Yenning for a Coal-Free Future
(View in browser)
May 22, 2019
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.
1-5-5 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Mizuho and Other Banks Victimized by Environmentalist Hoax
TOKYO -- On Monday morning, a press release announced a new edition of the Equator Principles, the industry guidelines for environment and human rights compliance. However, this press release was fake, made to look like it was sent…
Associated Hijinks: Yenning for a Coal-Free Future
View in Browser
Equator Principles 4 Released
Targeted Update Brings Noncompliance Accountability to Industry Guidelines on Human Rights and Climate Impact
May 21, 2019 | EP Secretariat | EP Association News
EP ASSOCIATION -- Following four phases of intensive stakeholder engagement, the Equator Principles Association is pleased to share the fourth iteration of the Equator Principles (EP4) …
Associated Hijinks: Yenning for a Coal-Free Future
Advisory: Hoax Letter Not from BlackRock CEO
Company Release - 1/16/2019 5:00 PM ET
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- On January 16, an unidentified party sent an email to the news media and several thousand BlackRock employees containing what looked like Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Laurence D. Fink’s Annual Letter to CEOs. This was in fact a hoax designed to confuse journalists and the…
Associated Hijinks: BlackRock Does the Right Thing
Larry Fink’s Letter to CEOs
"Purpose In Action"
Dear CEO,
At the start of each year, I have made it a tradition to write to you, the leaders of companies in which our clients are shareholders, to advocate governance practices that we believe will maximize long-term value creation. This year, while celebrating our 30th anniversary amid a turbulent market, I took time to reflect on new areas of…
Associated Hijinks: BlackRock Does the Right Thing
ERRATA
An earlier email from the Washington Post erroneously stated that President Trump has departed the Oval Office. We stand corrected (by ourselves, as well as dozens of Twitter users). This event in fact occurred three months and a half from now, possibly.
Sadly, many thousand print copies of the Post, hurriedly assembled in the wee hours, were distributed on the…
Associated Hijinks: Trump Is Over - If You Want It
BREAKING
The Washington Post has learned that at 5:15 a.m. today, Michael Richard Pence was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States.
It would seem that shortly before — perhaps at 3:15am, when a private helicopter was recorded departing the White House area — Donald John Trump abandoned the office of the President.
May 1, 2019 is sure to be remembered as one…
Associated Hijinks: Trump Is Over - If You Want It
Download this press release and more here
REFUGREENERGY Launches in Brussels: Migrants Legitimized as Power Source
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3rd, 2017 (BRUSSELS) REFUGREENERGY, a green energy startup utilizing the power of refugees to fight climate change, successfully launched its public campaign in partnership with the city of Brussels on Saturday, September 30th, 2017. Outside of la…
Associated Hijinks: RefuGreenErgy
DNC LAUNCHES #DNCTakeBack TOWN HALLS TO HIGHLIGHT UNSEEN ASPECTS OF "BETTER DEAL"Medicare for all, tuition-free college, strong unions, and the end of corporate lobbying are among the progressive positions largely missed in last Monday's announcement. Join the conversation on Twitter at #DNCTakeBack
Official announcement video (longer highlights video coming tomorrow)
Announcement transcript,…
Associated Hijinks: DNC Takeback