Graduating Reed College students and their parents gave a standing ovation to an announcement by their commencement speaker that the college had decided to divest from fossil fuels. But the President and Chair of the Board of Trustees, who were sitting onstage with the speaker, quietly wrung their hands—because the announcement was a hoax, and the board had recently decided exactly the opposite.
Commencement Speaker, Yes Man and Reed alum Mike Bonanno, worked with student activists from Fossil Free Reed to show the grads, students, faculty, and families that they could be the change they want to see in the world starting with their own institution.
Democracy Now report:
Selected Press:
- The Oregonian - Igor Vamos of 'Yes Men' pranks Reed College during commencement speech
- Portland Tribune - Yes Men prankster fools media with hoax about Reed divestment
- Democracy Now - "Yes Men" Artist Unveils Fossil Fuel Divestment at Reed College in Commencement Prank
- Sustainable Business Oregon - Member of notorious hoax group Yes Men fakes out Reed College grads