Collective Protest in Relocation Centers

Abstract

Collective protest by people of Japanese ancestry in relocation centers was related to the communicative process among groups mobilized about issues of mutual interest. One hundred and fifteen incidents were classified according to degree of collective protest and compared with the communication channels open in each. In every case there was a relationship between the degree of collective protest and the utilization of channels of communication by contending groups. In centers marked by little collective protest communication remained open and contending parties achieved consensus, whereas in centers marked by violent protest contending groups ceased to communicate and developed conflicting perspectives.