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
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 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 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 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 …

Frank Emi Interview II Segment 21 (ddr-densho-122-20-21)
vh Frank Emi Interview II Segment 21 (ddr-densho-122-20-21)
Life after World War II: losing touch with other Fair Play Committee leaders, working for the post office, teaching judo

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 …

Frank Emi Interview II Segment 22 (ddr-densho-122-20-22)
vh Frank Emi Interview II Segment 22 (ddr-densho-122-20-22)
Reflections on decision to resist the draft: "the injustice of the whole thing was so great, unfair"

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 …

Frank Emi Interview II Segment 14 (ddr-densho-122-20-14)
vh Frank Emi Interview II Segment 14 (ddr-densho-122-20-14)
The trustworthiness of the members 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 …

Ben Kuroki - Shige Kuroki Interview Segment 14 (ddr-densho-122-21-14)
vh Ben Kuroki - Shige Kuroki Interview Segment 14 (ddr-densho-122-21-14)
Preparing to testify at the resisters' trial: disagreeing, but understanding their point of view

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 …

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 …

Michi Weglyn Interview Segment 16 (ddr-densho-122-22-16)
vh Michi Weglyn Interview Segment 16 (ddr-densho-122-22-16)
The uniqueness of the organized 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 …

Art Hansen Interview Segment 27 (ddr-densho-122-23-27)
vh Art Hansen Interview Segment 27 (ddr-densho-122-23-27)
The resisters' story: "these people are well on their way to becoming ... recognizable American heroes"

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 …

Art Hansen Interview Segment 19 (ddr-densho-122-23-19)
vh Art Hansen Interview Segment 19 (ddr-densho-122-23-19)
The relationship between the Pacific Citizen, the Heart Mountain Sentinel and 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 camp. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically …

Art Hansen Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-122-23-3)
vh Art Hansen Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-122-23-3)
Impressions after attending a reunion of 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 on issues …

Art Hansen Interview Segment 29 (ddr-densho-122-23-29)
vh Art Hansen Interview Segment 29 (ddr-densho-122-23-29)
The distinction between "no-no" boys and 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 are typically not life histories, instead primarily focusing on …

Art Hansen Interview Segment 23 (ddr-densho-122-23-23)
vh Art Hansen Interview Segment 23 (ddr-densho-122-23-23)
Belief that Ben Kuroki's visits to concentration camps "didn't have the desired effect" for the U.S. government

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 …

Art Hansen Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-23-4)
vh Art Hansen Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-23-4)
Discussion of community treatment of draft resisters and the episode's place in historical context

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 …

Roger Daniels Interview Segment 2 (ddr-densho-122-25-2)
vh Roger Daniels Interview Segment 2 (ddr-densho-122-25-2)
Background of the resistance movement and the response of the JACL and the ACLU to their 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 …

Paul Tsuneishi Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-122-24-1)
vh Paul Tsuneishi Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-122-24-1)
Feelings about 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 issues …

Roger Daniels Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-25-4)
vh Roger Daniels Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-25-4)
Finding out about the draft resistance through research and personal interviews; encountering hesitation in talking about the issues

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 …

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, …

Roger Daniels Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-122-25-3)
vh Roger Daniels Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-122-25-3)
The ramifications of the resistance movement on later American history

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 …

Frank Emi Interview II Segment 18 (ddr-densho-122-20-18)
vh Frank Emi Interview II Segment 18 (ddr-densho-122-20-18)
Serving time in the Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary

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 …

Frank Emi Interview II Segment 15 (ddr-densho-122-20-15)
vh Frank Emi Interview II Segment 15 (ddr-densho-122-20-15)
Arrest by the FBI, leaving family and being taken to 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 …

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