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
Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-10-4)
vh Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-10-4)
Deciding to join the Fair Play Committee; thoughts on the JACL's wartime stance

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 …

Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-122-10-3)
vh Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-122-10-3)
Thoughts on the draft resistance trial and the JACL

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 …

Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 11 (ddr-densho-122-10-11)
vh Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 11 (ddr-densho-122-10-11)
Feelings about being overlooked as a 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 issues …

Fred Hirasuna Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-122-29-1)
vh Fred Hirasuna Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-122-29-1)
Opinion of the Heart Mountain 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 …

Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-122-10-8)
vh Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-122-10-8)
The influence of the Rocky Shimpo on decision to resist

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 …

Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-122-10-5)
vh Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-122-10-5)
Facing the postwar charge of "draft dodger": "we were never cowards"

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 …

Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-10-6)
vh Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-10-6)
The uniqueness of the draft 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 …

Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-122-10-1)
vh Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-122-10-1)
Memories of draft resistance trial

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 …

Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 7 (ddr-densho-122-10-7)
vh Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 7 (ddr-densho-122-10-7)
Hearing the guilty verdict in draft resistance trial, feeling disappointed

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 …

Fred Hirasuna Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-122-29-3)
vh Fred Hirasuna Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-122-29-3)
Feelings on the views of 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 primarily focusing …

Fred Hirasuna Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-122-29-8)
vh Fred Hirasuna Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-122-29-8)
Opinion that the resisters of conscience were "harming the cause of the entire group"

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 …

Gloria Kubota Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-13-6)
vh Gloria Kubota Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-13-6)
Husband's English lessons while in 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 surrounding …

Gloria Kubota Interview Segment 10 (ddr-densho-122-13-10)
vh Gloria Kubota Interview Segment 10 (ddr-densho-122-13-10)
Hearing of husband's trial verdict

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 …

James Omura Interview II Segment 10 (ddr-densho-122-11-10)
vh James Omura Interview II Segment 10 (ddr-densho-122-11-10)
Memories of trial: supportive reporter, speaking to the jury

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 …

James Omura Interview II Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-11-6)
vh James Omura Interview II Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-11-6)
Writing the influential editorial "Let Us Not Be Rash"

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 …

Gloria Kubota Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-13-4)
vh Gloria Kubota Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-13-4)
Memories of husband's arrest as a leader of the Heart Mountain 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 …

Gloria Kubota Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-122-13-5)
vh Gloria Kubota Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-122-13-5)
Husband's work for 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 focusing on issues …

James Omura Interview II Segment 9 (ddr-densho-122-11-9)
vh James Omura Interview II Segment 9 (ddr-densho-122-11-9)
Hearing the verdict: "When I was acquitted, I felt I was justified"

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, …

Gloria Kubota Interview Segment 9 (ddr-densho-122-13-9)
vh Gloria Kubota Interview Segment 9 (ddr-densho-122-13-9)
Recollections of the Fair Play Committee Steering Committee 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, instead primarily focusing …

James Omura Interview II Segment 2 (ddr-densho-122-11-2)
vh James Omura Interview II Segment 2 (ddr-densho-122-11-2)
Being arrested and taken to Cheyenne jail

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 …

Bill Hosokawa Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-122-26-3)
vh Bill Hosokawa Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-122-26-3)
Mike Masaoka and Minoru Yasui's positions on creating test cases
Bill Hosokawa Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-122-26-5)
vh Bill Hosokawa Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-122-26-5)
Belief that the actions of the World War II draft resisters "endangered a lot of other people"
Kats Kunitsugu Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-122-16-1)
vh Kats Kunitsugu Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-122-16-1)
Writing for the Heart Mountain Sentinel during the time of draft resistance

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, …

James Omura Interview I Segment 14 (ddr-densho-122-4-14)
vh James Omura Interview I Segment 14 (ddr-densho-122-4-14)
Indicted by the FBI for counseling draft evasion

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 …

James Omura Interview I Segment 18 (ddr-densho-122-4-18)
vh James Omura Interview I Segment 18 (ddr-densho-122-4-18)
Standing trial for counseling draft evasion

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 …

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