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
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 …

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

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, …

James Omura Interview I Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-4-6)
vh James Omura Interview I Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-4-6)
As editor of the Rocky Shimpo, writing editorials supporting 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 …

James Omura Interview I Segment 21 (ddr-densho-122-4-21)
vh James Omura Interview I Segment 21 (ddr-densho-122-4-21)
Thoughts on the JACL's passage of a resolution to acknowledge the loyalty of the wartime draft 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 …

James Omura Interview I Segment 15 (ddr-densho-122-4-15)
vh James Omura Interview I Segment 15 (ddr-densho-122-4-15)
Being blocked from attending a meeting of the Heart Mountain Fair Play Committee leaders

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 …

James Omura Interview I Segment 19 (ddr-densho-122-4-19)
vh James Omura Interview I Segment 19 (ddr-densho-122-4-19)
Accusations of disloyalty by 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 …

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 …

James Omura Interview I Segment 7 (ddr-densho-122-4-7)
vh James Omura Interview I Segment 7 (ddr-densho-122-4-7)
Writing 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 …

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, …

Bill Hosokawa Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-26-4)
vh Bill Hosokawa Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-26-4)
Discussion of mass removal and incarceration: decision of whether or not to protest
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"
Frank Emi Interview II Segment 11 (ddr-densho-122-20-11)
vh Frank Emi Interview II Segment 11 (ddr-densho-122-20-11)
Description of the purpose 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 primarily focusing …

Frank Emi Interview II Segment 20 (ddr-densho-122-20-20)
vh Frank Emi Interview II Segment 20 (ddr-densho-122-20-20)
Learning that conviction had been reversed: "it was a very happy occasion"

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 II Segment 9 (ddr-densho-122-20-9)
vh Frank Emi Interview II Segment 9 (ddr-densho-122-20-9)
Recalling an interrogation by the camp project director

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 …

Frank Emi Interview II Segment 16 (ddr-densho-122-20-16)
vh Frank Emi Interview II Segment 16 (ddr-densho-122-20-16)
Standing trial for resisting the draft

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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