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
James Omura Interview I Segment 14 (ddr-densho-122-4-14)
vh James Omura Interview I Segment 14 (ddr-densho-122-4-14)
Indicted by the FBI for counseling draft evasion

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 …

James Omura Interview I Segment 18 (ddr-densho-122-4-18)
vh James Omura Interview I Segment 18 (ddr-densho-122-4-18)
Standing trial for counseling draft evasion

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 …

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 …

Art Hansen Interview Segment 25 (ddr-densho-122-23-25)
vh Art Hansen Interview Segment 25 (ddr-densho-122-23-25)
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 …

Frank Emi Interview I Segment 8 (ddr-densho-122-5-8)
vh Frank Emi Interview I Segment 8 (ddr-densho-122-5-8)
Activities as leader of the Fair Play Committee: distributing bulletins, holding 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, …

Frank Emi Interview I Segment 10 (ddr-densho-122-5-10)
vh Frank Emi Interview I Segment 10 (ddr-densho-122-5-10)
Thinking ahead on decision to resist draft: taking a family photo just in 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 …

Frank Emi Interview I Segment 9 (ddr-densho-122-5-9)
vh Frank Emi Interview I Segment 9 (ddr-densho-122-5-9)
Being interrogated after trying to get arrested as 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 …

Kenji Goto Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-1007-2-8)
vh Kenji Goto Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-1007-2-8)
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)
vh Joe Yamakido Interview Segment 9 (ddr-densho-1000-167-9)
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)
vh Frank Abe Interview III Segment 3 (ddr-densho-1000-531-3)
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)
vh Frank Abe Interview III Segment 9 (ddr-densho-1000-531-9)
Conscience and the Constitution's role in inspiring discussion about the draft resisters
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