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 (283)
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 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 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 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 …

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 …

Dave Kawamoto Interview Segment 7 (ddr-densho-122-9-7)
vh Dave Kawamoto Interview Segment 7 (ddr-densho-122-9-7)
Being picked up by the FBI for 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, instead primarily focusing …

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 …

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 …

Grace Kubota Ybarra Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-14-4)
vh Grace Kubota Ybarra Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-14-4)
Father's legacy as a resister: "I've never felt prouder of being his daughter"

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 …

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 - Paul Tsuneishi Interview Segment 2 (ddr-densho-122-17-2)
vh Kats Kunitsugu - Paul Tsuneishi Interview Segment 2 (ddr-densho-122-17-2)
The atmosphere in which individuals decided 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 …

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, …

Clifford Uyeda Interview Segment 9 (ddr-densho-122-19-9)
vh Clifford Uyeda Interview Segment 9 (ddr-densho-122-19-9)
Surprise upon learning about the resistance movement: "it was good news to me"

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 …

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 …

Clifford Uyeda Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-122-19-8)
vh Clifford Uyeda Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-122-19-8)
Trying to reconcile the draft resisters with 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 …

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 …

Clifford Uyeda Interview Segment 18 (ddr-densho-122-19-18)
vh Clifford Uyeda Interview Segment 18 (ddr-densho-122-19-18)
The effects of both the resistance movement and the World War II actions of the JACL on Japanese American identity today

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 …

Clifford Uyeda Interview Segment 7 (ddr-densho-122-19-7)
vh Clifford Uyeda Interview Segment 7 (ddr-densho-122-19-7)
Thoughts on the treatment of the draft resisters by the JACL, Japanese American community, and Nisei 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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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