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
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 17 (ddr-densho-122-20-17)
vh Frank Emi Interview II Segment 17 (ddr-densho-122-20-17)
Receiving a "guilty" verdict and filing an appeal

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 23 (ddr-densho-122-20-23)
vh Frank Emi Interview II Segment 23 (ddr-densho-122-20-23)
Long-term affects of wartime resistance; reaction of community members

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 …

Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 15 (ddr-densho-122-12-15)
vh Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 15 (ddr-densho-122-12-15)
Recollections of prison, being released

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 …

Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-12-4)
vh Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-12-4)
Feeling disappointment upon meeting Minoru Yasui

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 …

Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-122-12-8)
vh Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-122-12-8)
Receiving the silent treatment from the Japanese American community postwar

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 2 (ddr-densho-122-12-2)
vh Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 2 (ddr-densho-122-12-2)
Forms of resistance: "repatriation" strategy

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 …

Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 14 (ddr-densho-122-12-14)
vh Jim Akutsu Interview Segment 14 (ddr-densho-122-12-14)
Younger brother's experience also as a draft 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 …

Frank Emi Interview I Segment 7 (ddr-densho-122-5-7)
vh Frank Emi Interview I Segment 7 (ddr-densho-122-5-7)
Description of Kiyoshi Okamoto, the founder 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 …

Frank Emi Interview I Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-5-6)
vh Frank Emi Interview I Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-5-6)
Refuting accusations about activities while on 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 15 (ddr-densho-122-21-15)
vh Ben Kuroki - Shige Kuroki Interview Segment 15 (ddr-densho-122-21-15)
Comments to the media after the resisters' trial versus feelings many years later

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 …

Roger Daniels Interview Segment 2 (ddr-densho-122-25-2)
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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 …

Roger Daniels Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-25-4)
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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 …

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 …

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 …

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 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 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, …

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 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 …

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 …

Frank Emi Interview II Segment 13 (ddr-densho-122-20-13)
vh Frank Emi Interview II Segment 13 (ddr-densho-122-20-13)
Thoughts on Ben Kuroki's visit to 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 focusing on …

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