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 (231)
Resistance and dissidence (84)
Draft resistance (349)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
Draft resistance, Frank Emi, Gordon Hirabayashi, No-No Boy (book)

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349 items

vh Jim Akutsu Segment 40 (ddr-densho-1000-2-40)

Communicating with other draft resisters from Heart Mountain

Interview was conducted over two days because of delays caused by technical difficulties.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-2-40/

vh Jim Akutsu Segment 29 (ddr-densho-1000-2-29)

Personal response to the so-called "loyalty questions"

Interview was conducted over two days because of delays caused by technical difficulties.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-2-29/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 25 (ddr-densho-1000-1-25)

Starting over after release from McNeil Island Penitentiary, telling children about resistance decisions

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-25/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 30 (ddr-densho-1000-1-30)

Reasons for answering "no-no" on so-called "loyalty questions" and revisiting decision to resist the draft

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-30/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 34 (ddr-densho-1000-1-34)

Receiving notification of Presidential pardon for WWII draft resistance

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-34/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 22 (ddr-densho-1000-1-22)

Arriving at McNeil Island Penitentiary after resisting the draft: living conditions

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-22/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 28 (ddr-densho-1000-1-28)

Deciding to resist the draft

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-28/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-1-13)

Considering the consequences of resisting the draft

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-13/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 15 (ddr-densho-1000-1-15)

Considering the consequences of resisting the draft, and interactions with jailers, other resisters, and jail inmates

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-15/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 32 (ddr-densho-1000-1-32)

Work detail at McNeil Island Penitentiary; imprisoned for resisting the draft

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-32/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 24 (ddr-densho-1000-1-24)

Impact of draft resistance on family: harsh response from Japanese American community contributes to Mother's suicide

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-24/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 21 (ddr-densho-1000-1-21)

Reaction of the Japanese American community towards draft resisters

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-21/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 20 (ddr-densho-1000-1-20)

Receiving prison sentence for draft resistance

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-20/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 29 (ddr-densho-1000-1-29)

Attitude towards those who volunteered for enlistment in the military

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-29/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 19 (ddr-densho-1000-1-19)

Family's "stop order" status and restrictions on movement

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-19/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 33 (ddr-densho-1000-1-33)

Visitors at McNeil Island Penitentiary; imprisoned for resisting the draft

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-33/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-1-12)

Deciding to resist the draft: discussion of answers to the so-called "loyalty questions," and preparing for death

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-12/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 17 (ddr-densho-1000-1-17)

Awaiting trial for resisting the draft in county jail: physical deterioration and poor living conditions

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-17/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 16 (ddr-densho-1000-1-16)

Court appointed lawyer says, "You're on your own, boy"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-16/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 18 (ddr-densho-1000-1-18)

Memories of trial for draft resistance: a mockery of justice

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-18/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 31 (ddr-densho-1000-1-31)

Everyday life at McNeil Island Penitentiary after resisting the draft

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-31/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 23 (ddr-densho-1000-1-23)

Starting over after leaving McNeil Island Penitentiary, resisting the draft

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-23/

vh Gene Akutsu Interview II Segment 9 (ddr-densho-1000-210-9)

Being arrested for resisting the draft

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-210-9/

vh Gene Akutsu Interview II Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-210-13)

Being recognized for wartime draft resistance

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-210-13/

vh Gene Akutsu Interview II Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1000-210-10)

Thoughts on the Japanese American Citizens League postwar

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-210-10/