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
Resolution adopted at 36th Biennial National Convention of JACL (ddr-densho-122-573)
doc Resolution adopted at 36th Biennial National Convention of JACL (ddr-densho-122-573)
Re: the Recognition of and Apology to the Nisei Resisters of Conscience of WWII
Hideo Takeuchi - Amache Camp Draft Resister (ddr-densho-122-535)
doc Hideo Takeuchi - Amache Camp Draft Resister (ddr-densho-122-535)
Information about Takeuchi's draft resistance and conviction, personal information redacted.
doc "The Return of the Fair Play Committee to Los Angeles" (ddr-densho-122-876)
Script of presentation about the history of resistance movement and activities of the Fair Play Committee
Transcription of 4 letters from Kozie Sakai to Frank Emi (ddr-densho-122-455)
doc Transcription of 4 letters from Kozie Sakai to Frank Emi (ddr-densho-122-455)
Transcriptions of letters, objects ddr-densho-122-451, -452, -453, -454. Including comments and questions related to material in the letters.
Letter to James Omura from Frank Emi (ddr-densho-122-476)
doc Letter to James Omura from Frank Emi (ddr-densho-122-476)
Written after Omura was forced from Rocky Shimpo with news of the upcoming trial in Cheyenne
Correspondence between Arthur Emi and A.L. Wirin (ddr-densho-122-441)
doc Correspondence between Arthur Emi and A.L. Wirin (ddr-densho-122-441)
Retaining Wirin as attorney for the Heart Mountain resisters, fees and trial progress
Interview with Jack Tono (ddr-densho-122-538)
doc Interview with Jack Tono (ddr-densho-122-538)
Transcript of taped interview, unknown interviewer, prison life, how the FPC formed, post-war life
Front page of Wyoming Eagle (ddr-densho-122-787)
doc Front page of Wyoming Eagle (ddr-densho-122-787)
Article: Japs Say They Refused to Report for Army Because 'Rights Were Taken Away', including photo of defense attorneys Samuel Menin and Clyde Watts
Letter to group, in care of David Ishii, from Frank Chin (ddr-densho-122-194)
doc Letter to group, in care of David Ishii, from Frank Chin (ddr-densho-122-194)
Notes on speakers and reactions to speakers on resisters in Wyoming, potential production projects related to resistance. Personal information redacted.
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