Draft resistance

In 1944 the government reinstated the draft for Japanese Americans after suspending it in 1942 and began drafting men directly from the camps. This action angered many. At Heart Mountain concentration camp, Wyoming, resistance took the form of an organized movement calling itself the Fair Play Committee. Members demanded that their rights as citizens be restored before enlisting in the military. Eventually, sixty-three men from Heart Mountain refused induction and were sentenced to prison terms for draft evasion. In the other camps, disparate individuals made the decision to resist the draft. After being unfairly incarcerated for almost two years, they saw the draft as the final injustice. Ultimately, 267 men from all the concentration camps were convicted of evading the draft and most served time in prison. President Truman pardoned all of the resisters in 1947.

World War II (231)
Resistance and dissidence (84)
Draft resistance (349)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
Draft resistance, Frank Emi, Gordon Hirabayashi, No-No Boy (book)

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349 items
Art Hansen Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-23-4)
vh Art Hansen Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-23-4)
Discussion of community treatment of draft resisters and the episode's place in historical context

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not …

Art Hansen Interview Segment 25 (ddr-densho-122-23-25)
vh Art Hansen Interview Segment 25 (ddr-densho-122-23-25)
The emergence of the resisters' story

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead primarily focusing on issues surrounding …

Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 13 (ddr-densho-122-12-13)
vh Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 13 (ddr-densho-122-12-13)
Thoughts on members of Heart Mountain's Fair Play Committee

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead primarily focusing …

Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-122-12-1)
vh Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-122-12-1)
Meeting with Minoru Yasui and telling him about resistance decision

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead primarily …

Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 15 (ddr-densho-122-12-15)
vh Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 15 (ddr-densho-122-12-15)
Recollections of prison, being released

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead primarily focusing on issues surrounding the …

Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-12-4)
vh Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-12-4)
Feeling disappointment upon meeting Minoru Yasui

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead primarily focusing on issues surrounding …

Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-122-12-8)
vh Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-122-12-8)
Receiving the silent treatment from the Japanese American community postwar

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead primarily …

Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 2 (ddr-densho-122-12-2)
vh Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 2 (ddr-densho-122-12-2)
Forms of resistance: "repatriation" strategy

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead primarily focusing on issues surrounding the …

Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 14 (ddr-densho-122-12-14)
vh Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 14 (ddr-densho-122-12-14)
Younger brother's experience also as a draft resister

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead primarily focusing on …

Paul Tsuneishi Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-24-4)
vh Paul Tsuneishi Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-24-4)
The postwar ostracization of the resisters

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead primarily focusing on issues surrounding …

Paul Tsuneishi Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-24-6)
vh Paul Tsuneishi Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-24-6)
Opinion of the Fair Play Committee and the resisters of conscience: "I have nothing but the highest respect for them"

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews …

Paul Tsuneishi Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-122-24-1)
vh Paul Tsuneishi Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-122-24-1)
Feelings about the Japanese American Citizens League

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead primarily focusing on issues …

Frank Emi Interview I Segment 8 (ddr-densho-122-5-8)
vh Frank Emi Interview I Segment 8 (ddr-densho-122-5-8)
Activities as leader of the Fair Play Committee: distributing bulletins, holding meetings

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, …

Frank Emi Interview I Segment 9 (ddr-densho-122-5-9)
vh Frank Emi Interview I Segment 9 (ddr-densho-122-5-9)
Being interrogated after trying to get arrested as a test case

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead …

Frank Emi Interview I Segment 10 (ddr-densho-122-5-10)
vh Frank Emi Interview I Segment 10 (ddr-densho-122-5-10)
Thinking ahead on decision to resist draft: taking a family photo just in case

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not …

Frank Emi Interview I Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-5-6)
vh Frank Emi Interview I Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-5-6)
Refuting accusations about activities while on the Fair Play Committee

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead primarily …

Frank Emi Interview I Segment 7 (ddr-densho-122-5-7)
vh Frank Emi Interview I Segment 7 (ddr-densho-122-5-7)
Description of Kiyoshi Okamoto, the founder of the Fair Play Committee

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead …

Michi Weglyn Interview Segment 14 (ddr-densho-122-22-14)
vh Michi Weglyn Interview Segment 14 (ddr-densho-122-22-14)
Feelings about Heart Mountain's Fair Play Committee

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead primarily focusing on issues …

Michi Weglyn Interview Segment 16 (ddr-densho-122-22-16)
vh Michi Weglyn Interview Segment 16 (ddr-densho-122-22-16)
The uniqueness of the organized resistance movement at Heart Mountain

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead primarily …

Michi Weglyn Interview Segment 18 (ddr-densho-122-22-18)
vh Michi Weglyn Interview Segment 18 (ddr-densho-122-22-18)
Reaction of the Japanese American community to the Heart Mountain resisters

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead …

Roger Daniels Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-25-4)
vh Roger Daniels Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-25-4)
Finding out about the draft resistance through research and personal interviews; encountering hesitation in talking about the issues

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this …

Roger Daniels Interview Segment 2 (ddr-densho-122-25-2)
vh Roger Daniels Interview Segment 2 (ddr-densho-122-25-2)
Background of the resistance movement and the response of the JACL and the ACLU to their stand

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection …

Grace Kubota Ybarra Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-14-4)
vh Grace Kubota Ybarra Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-14-4)
Father's legacy as a resister: "I've never felt prouder of being his daughter"

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life …

Grace Kubota Ybarra Interview Segment 7 (ddr-densho-122-14-7)
vh Grace Kubota Ybarra Interview Segment 7 (ddr-densho-122-14-7)
Description of father, letters sent from prison

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead primarily focusing on issues …

Grace Kubota Ybarra Interview Segment 2 (ddr-densho-122-14-2)
vh Grace Kubota Ybarra Interview Segment 2 (ddr-densho-122-14-2)
Description of father's letters sent from prison

This interview was conducted by filmmaker Frank Abe for his 2000 documentary, Conscience and the Constitution, about the World War II resisters of conscience at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead primarily focusing on issues …

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