April 3, 1968: 56 years ago, Apr 3 1968, 150 young men publicly violated draft laws in [...]

56 years ago, Apr 3 1968, 150 young men publicly violated draft laws in front of San Francisco’s Federal Building. The event, organized by anti-war group The Resistance, was witnessed and cheered on by a crowd of thousands

In order to break the law as flagrantly as possible, the draft resisters mailed their cards to President Johnson rather than burning them, which left no paper trail. They were aided by friends, family, and clergy who signed documents accepting complicity in the draft violation

This was preceded by a Berkeley rally in which young men did, however, burn their draft cards. One resister described “a feeling of oneness, a sort of magic feeling that he would trade for nothing” emanating from his burning draft card. There were corresponding events in 5 cities