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 (277)
Resistance and dissidence (97)
Draft resistance (393)

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

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393 items
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 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 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 9 (ddr-densho-122-10-9)
vh Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 9 (ddr-densho-122-10-9)
Thoughts on the relationship between resisters and veterans

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 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 …

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
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 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 …

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 …

Clifford Uyeda Interview Segment 15 (ddr-densho-122-19-15)
vh Clifford Uyeda Interview Segment 15 (ddr-densho-122-19-15)
Reading and discussion of the 1990 Golden Gate resolution

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 …

Clifford Uyeda Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-19-6)
vh Clifford Uyeda Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-19-6)
Leaving the West Coast in the 1930s, hearing about the World War II draft resisters later in life

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 …

Dave Kawamoto Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-122-9-8)
vh Dave Kawamoto Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-122-9-8)
Response to JACL's name-calling: "it made me feel kind of betrayed"

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 …

Dave Kawamoto Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-9-6)
vh Dave Kawamoto Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-9-6)
Discussion of what made the Heart Mountain resistance different from other camps

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, …

Dave Kawamoto Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-122-9-5)
vh Dave Kawamoto Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-122-9-5)
Attending meetings 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 on issues …

Dave Kawamoto Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-122-9-3)
vh Dave Kawamoto Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-122-9-3)
Making the decision to resist 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 …

Dave Kawamoto Interview Segment 10 (ddr-densho-122-9-10)
vh Dave Kawamoto Interview Segment 10 (ddr-densho-122-9-10)
Remembering the famous photograph of the Heart Mountain resisters on 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 …

Clifford Uyeda Interview Segment 16 (ddr-densho-122-19-16)
vh Clifford Uyeda Interview Segment 16 (ddr-densho-122-19-16)
Desire for the JACL to admit its past wrongs during World War II, and apologize for the way some of its members treated the 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 …

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 …

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 …

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