Growing No

CHICAGO (LNS)—Across America, the GI movement and draft resistance are growing. Stockade rebellions, GI coffee houses, draft board demonstrations and induction refusals have been the most visible forms of resistance to the U.S. Army.

The Chicago Area Draft Resisters (CADRE) report an important increase in another less known form of resistance—simply not reporting for induction. In Chicago alone, there were 1,090 cases of men not reporting for induction in 1968–69. This is up from 659 in 1966–67, and means that on the average, more than 10 men a week are not reporting for induction. These figures were compiled from information publicly posted at Chicago draft boards.

Although there are many possible reasons for not reporting for induction, there is some indication that for many of these men, the reasons are political. First, quite a number of them failed to report more than once. Second, 19 of the 20 highest boards are in Black or Spanish neighborhoods. Finally, there has been a 50% increase in failures to report since 1966–67, although the number of men called for induction has not increased.

Related

See Fifth Estate’s Vietnam Resource Page.