Controversy over The Draft in the Vietnam War
(Lonidier, "We won't go" )
Though I have mentioned the vast amount of controversy regarding other wars in our country’s past, it is important to recognize at this time that during the Vietnam War, draft resistance and protests reached an ultimate high. As additional U.S. troops were needed in Vietnam, more and more young men sought to avoid the draft. Organizations against the war protested more than ever and frequently there were break-ins into draft boards and public burnings of draft cards. A picture of these burnings is below to demonstrate some people's strong views. These uprisings resulted in substantial public notice.
Many men went to extreme measures to receive CO status so that they did not have to serve. Many protestors of the war were young men and college students. It is said that various people thought that too many young white middle-class men were receiving CO status while, to their disadvantage, Latino, black, and poor white men were quickly sent off to fight (Tracey, 2006). Some draft resisters even fled to Canada or attempted to claim disability (Kindig, 2008). Over 25,000 men openly resisted the draft and around 3,250 of them ended up in prison (Tracey, 2006). Furthermore, men who were enlisted and already fighting in the war rebelled against the draft. Many refused to fight or mutinied in order to get away or prove their point, or both. There were riots throughout the country, some even at military bases (Johns, 2006).