Nisei Trials: 80 Years
Remembering the Minidoka Draft Resisters
“You can’t make me go to war if you put me in a prison camp.”
— Gene Akutsu, Minidoka Draft Resister
In September 1944, thirty-seven Japanese Americans unconstitutionally incarcerated at the Minidoka Relocation Center appeared in Federal Court in Boise for violating the Selective Service Act.
In September 2024, Friends of Minidoka, Minidoka National Historic Site, and our community partners, commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Minidoka draft resisters’ trials in Boise, Idaho Falls, and Twin Falls.
See the links below to explore the courage of these Nisei men who fought for restoration of their rights as U.S. citizens before serving in the U.S. military, the legacy of their actions, and the lessons for today. Also visit our Nisei Trials gallery with photos of our programming.
Explore our Programming
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Distinguished Lecture
Resistance, Resilience, and the Ethics of Justice
Join us for a discussion about the Minidoka draft resisters and lessons for today with Frank Abe, author of the graphic novel We Hereby Refuse, and Eric Muller, author of Free to Die for Their Country, American Inquisition, and Lawyer, Jailer, Ally, Foe.
Video of the Distinguished Lecture available soon on our website!
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One-Act Multimedia Stage Production
Nisei Paradox: Japanese American Draft Resisters During WWII
Nisei Paradox, researched by former Idaho Chief Magistrate Ronald Bush and written by Boise attorney Jeffrey Thomson, offers a historic portrayal of the court proceedings and investigates the contradictions of civic duty and civil rights within a one-act multimedia production.
Watch the full stage production of Nisei Paradox here.
Watch Idaho Public Television’s documentary Nisei Paradox: Justice on Trial here.
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Exhibit
Nisei Trials: 80 Years — Remembering the Minidoka Draft Resisters
Delve into the decisions and repercussions of the Japanese American men who courageously resisted the draft while incarcerated at the historic Minidoka War Relocation Center. The exhibit sheds light on themes of patriotism and civil disobedience today.
Current Exhibitions::
Museum of Idaho, Idaho Falls: On display with artifacts on loan from Minidoka National Historic Site. September 2024 - February 2025.
City Hall, City of Boise: Starting in September 2024.
The poster exhibit is available to community organizations and educators. For information, email info@minidoka.org.
A Project of:
In Partnership with:
Nisei Paradox: Justice on Trial Documentary
Produced by Idaho Public Television
In World War II, 44 Japanese American men at Minidoka resisted government conscription into the U.S. military, refusing to be drafted by a country that considered them less than full citizens. Their case is being retold 80 years later by the Friends of Minidoka – and by a group of Idaho lawyers who wrote and produced a play.