“Courage comes in many forms.”

—Minidoka survivor Fujiko Gardner

Join us in September 2024 as Friends of Minidoka and community partners commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Boise trials of the Minidoka draft resisters. Through a month of free community programming, we will explore the courage of these Nisei men who fought for restoration of their full citizenship before serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, the legacy of their actions, and parallels today.

Nisei Trials: 80 Years programming will include:

  • Distinguished lectures with scholars 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, and editor of Colors of Confinement.

  • Staging of the play “Nisei Paradox” which tells the story of the Minidoka resister trials, written by Boise attorney Jeff Thomson and retired U.S. Chief Magistrate Ron Bush; and

  • Exhibit about these courageous resisters and the lessons for today.

Deepest thanks to our community partners for making this programming possible — Idaho Humanities Council, Japanese American Community Foundation, Civil Liberties Symposium, Boise State University, Idaho State Museum, Museum of Idaho, College of Southern Idaho, Japanese American Citizens League Boise Valley Chapter, Japanese American Citizens League Idaho Falls Chapter, and ACLU of Idaho.

Dates and locations are listed below.

Nisei Trials Distinguished Lectures

Discussion with authors Frank Abe and Eric Muller about the Japanese Americans incarcerated at Minidoka who resisted the military draft to protest the unjust removal and incarceration.  Our conversation will reflect on the meaning of citizenship, resistance, and legal proceedings 80 years after the historic trials in Boise, Idaho.  

Twin Falls — College of Southern Idaho, September 10, 2024 at 6 pm.

Idaho Falls - Museum of Idaho, September 11, 2024 at 6 pm.

Boise - Idaho State Museum , September 12, 2024 at 6 pm .

Nisei Paradox Stage Production

From 1944 to 1945, thirty-seven men confined at Minidoka resisted draft orders resulting in a three and a half year sentence at McNeil Island Federal Penitentiary.  Nisei Paradox, researched by former Idaho Chief Magistrate Ronald Bush and written by Boise attorney Jeffrey Thomson, offers a glimpse at a historic portrayal of the court proceedings and investigates the contradictions of civic duty and civil rights within a one-act multimedia production.

Idaho Falls — Artitorium Theater, September 18,  2024, 7 - 9 pm.

Twin Falls - College of Southern Idaho at the Fine Arts Theatre, September 19, 2024, 7 - 9 pm .

Boise — Boise State University at the Special Performances and Events Center, September 20, 2024, 7 - 9 pm.