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
Roger Daniels Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-122-25-3)
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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)
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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)
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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 13 (ddr-densho-122-20-13)
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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 …

Frank Emi Interview II Segment 8 (ddr-densho-122-20-8)
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Ineligible for the draft, yet choosing to resist on principle

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)
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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 16 (ddr-densho-122-22-16)
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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 …

Michi Weglyn Interview Segment 18 (ddr-densho-122-22-18)
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Reaction of the Japanese American community to 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 …

Paul Tsuneishi Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-24-4)
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The postwar ostracization of the 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 surrounding …

Paul Tsuneishi Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-122-24-6)
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Opinion of the Fair Play Committee and the resisters of conscience: "I have nothing but the highest respect for them"

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 …

Art Hansen Interview Segment 25 (ddr-densho-122-23-25)
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The emergence of the resisters' story

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 …

Fred Hirasuna Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-122-29-1)
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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 …

Bill Hosokawa Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-122-26-3)
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Mike Masaoka and Minoru Yasui's positions on creating test cases
Bill Hosokawa Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-122-26-4)
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Discussion of mass removal and incarceration: decision of whether or not to protest
Sam Horino Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-122-6-8)
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Discussion of the Fair Play Committee bulletins

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 …

Yosh Kuromiya Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-122-8-5)
vh Yosh Kuromiya Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-122-8-5)
The decision to resist the draft: "Somebody had to say somethin'"

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 1 (ddr-densho-122-10-1)
vh Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-122-10-1)
Memories of draft resistance 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 primarily focusing on issues surrounding the …

Kenji Goto Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-1007-2-8)
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Feelings about draft resisters

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

Joe Yamakido Interview Segment 9 (ddr-densho-1000-167-9)
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Arrested for failing to report for army induction physical; sentenced to three years in prison
Frank Abe Interview III Segment 3 (ddr-densho-1000-531-3)
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Meeting James Omura and deciding to make a documentary on the Heart Mountain draft resisters
Frank Abe Interview III Segment 9 (ddr-densho-1000-531-9)
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Conscience and the Constitution's role in inspiring discussion about the draft resisters
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