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
Yosh Kuromiya Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-8-4)
vh Yosh Kuromiya Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-8-4)
Family's thoughts 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 focusing on issues surrounding …

Yosh Kuromiya Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-122-8-3)
vh Yosh Kuromiya Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-122-8-3)
Feeling disappointed at Minoru Yasui's attempts to discourage a test case

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 …

Yosh Kuromiya Interview Segment 7 (ddr-densho-122-8-7)
vh Yosh Kuromiya Interview Segment 7 (ddr-densho-122-8-7)
Thoughts on decision to resist the draft by taking a public stand

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, …

Yosh Kuromiya Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-122-8-1)
vh Yosh Kuromiya Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-122-8-1)
Discussion of strategies upon going on trial 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 …

Yosh Kuromiya Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-8-6)
vh Yosh Kuromiya Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-8-6)
Feeling "betrayed" 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 on …

Roger Daniels Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-25-6)
vh Roger Daniels Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-25-6)
The role of the American Civil Liberties Union in the resistance movement

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 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 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 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 …

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 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 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 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 …

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 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 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 …

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 19 (ddr-densho-122-20-19)
vh Frank Emi Interview II Segment 19 (ddr-densho-122-20-19)
Passing time in prison, talking with Issei Guntaro Kubota

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 12 (ddr-densho-122-20-12)
vh Frank Emi Interview II Segment 12 (ddr-densho-122-20-12)
Discussion of the bulletins issues by the Fair Play Committee and "the one line that got us indicted"

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 …

Frank Emi Interview II Segment 10 (ddr-densho-122-20-10)
vh Frank Emi Interview II Segment 10 (ddr-densho-122-20-10)
Bolstered by public support from James Omura, editor of the Rocky Shimpo

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 7 (ddr-densho-122-20-7)
vh Frank Emi Interview II Segment 7 (ddr-densho-122-20-7)
Reaction to the government's institution of the military draft, holding a rally

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 6 (ddr-densho-122-20-6)
vh Frank Emi Interview II Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-20-6)
Beginnings 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 surrounding …

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