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)

Filters

Facilities

Format

Genre

Usage

Use <Ctrl> or (⌘) keys to select multiple terms

Gallery view
List view

349 items

vh Gene Akutsu Interview II Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-210-12)

Thoughts on draft resistance

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-210-12/

vh Gene Akutsu Interview II Segment 14 (ddr-densho-1000-210-14)

Revisiting McNeil Island fifty years after being incarcerated there

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-210-14/

vh Kenge Kobayashi Segment 17 (ddr-densho-1000-37-17)

The irony of being drafted

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-37-17/

vh Harry K. Yoshikawa Interview Segment 20 (ddr-densho-1000-278-20)

Memories of draft resistance trial

Due to technical difficulties during the taping of this interview, the interviewer's voice is considerably louder than the narrator's. This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-278-20/

vh Harry K. Yoshikawa Interview Segment 18 (ddr-densho-1000-278-18)

Being arrested for resisting the draft

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-278-18/

vh Rick Sato Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-80-12)

Understanding the position of the draft resisters: "you don't have to prove anything"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-80-12/

vh Frank Yamasaki Interview I Segment 27 (ddr-densho-1000-107-27)

Resisting the draft on principle

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-107-27/

vh Frank Yamasaki Interview I Segment 28 (ddr-densho-1000-107-28)

Feelings upon being sentenced to prison for draft resistance: "it was a nightmare"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-107-28/

vh Frank Yamasaki Interview I Segment 30 (ddr-densho-1000-107-30)

Daily life at McNeil Island Penitentiary; work and visitors

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-107-30/

vh Frank Yamasaki Interview I Segment 25 (ddr-densho-1000-107-25)

Family's response to decision to resist the draft

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-107-25/

vh Frank Yamasaki Interview I Segment 33 (ddr-densho-1000-107-33)

Intimidation by other Japanese Americans in response to wartime draft resistance

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-107-33/

vh Frank Yamasaki Interview I Segment 26 (ddr-densho-1000-107-26)

Standing trial for resisting the draft: "it became a farce"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-107-26/

vh Frank Yamasaki Interview I Segment 24 (ddr-densho-1000-107-24)

Making the decision to resist the draft: "just pure gut"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-107-24/

vh Frank Yamasaki Interview I Segment 29 (ddr-densho-1000-107-29)

Serving sentence at McNeil Island Penitentiary for draft resistance, thoughts on other inmates

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-107-29/

vh Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 16 (ddr-densho-1000-130-16)

Feeling shocked and hurt upon hearing "guilty" verdict in draft resistance trial, sentenced to three years in prison

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-130-16/

vh Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 14 (ddr-densho-1000-130-14)

Arrest after refusing to report for induction physical

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-130-14/

vh Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-130-13)

Learning about the Fair Play Committee at Heart Mountain concentration camp, Wyoming

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-130-13/

vh Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 17 (ddr-densho-1000-130-17)

Serving time for draft resistance at McNeil Island Penitentiary

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-130-17/

vh Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 15 (ddr-densho-1000-130-15)

Trial for resisting the draft: called "Jap boys" by judge

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-130-15/

vh Jimi Yamaichi Segment 16 (ddr-densho-1000-106-16)

"Exonerated" of all charges by a judge in Eureka, California for lack of due process

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-106-16/

vh Jimi Yamaichi Segment 15 (ddr-densho-1000-106-15)

Making the decision to resist the draft, "I can't vote, I can't register, and they want me to join the army"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-106-15/

vh Victor Ikeda Interview Segment 19 (ddr-densho-1000-487-19)

Lingering tension in the Japanese American community related to draft resistance

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-487-19/

vh Victor Ikeda Interview Segment 18 (ddr-densho-1000-487-18)

Hearing about some friends who became draft resisters

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-487-18/

vh Ken Yoshida Interview Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-428-13)

Serving sentence for draft resistance at a road camp

This interview is incomplete. It ends after the first hour of taping, when Mr. Yoshida is describing serving time at the road camp for resisting the draft. This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-428-13/

vh Ken Yoshida Interview Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1000-428-10)

Picked up and taking to a county jail for refusing draft order

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-428-10/