Nisei male. Born 1925 in Seattle, Washington. Spent prewar childhood in Seattle's Nihonmachi. Incarcerated at Puyallup Assembly Center, Washington, and Minidoka incarceration camp, Idaho. Refused to participate in draft, imprisoned at McNeil Island Penitentiary, Washington, for resisting the draft. Resettled in Seattle. (July 25, 1997)
Gene Akutsu
(b. 1925) Draft resister
A teenager's memories of how a local newspaper misrepresented Japanese Americans
Reaction of Japanese American community toward draft resistance stance
The role of the media in influencing people's opinions
Living conditions in prison while serving time for resisting the draft
Talking to children about decision to resist the draft during World War II
Deciding whether to answer "yes-yes" on the loyalty questionnaire in order to leave camp
Reflecting on Japanese Americans' response to incarceration
Speak out for your beliefs
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