Peoples Temple in Guyana

After several scandals and investigations in San Francisco the US. Jones decided to create his
community in South America, because he thought that he would be safe of the US authorities.
Then, in 1974 he leased Guyana government lands. Three years later, Jones and his
followers moved to this place.

The informal name of the city was “Jonestown”. At the beginning, there were only 50 people
living in the community. Then, Jones came back to the US and he encourages more people.
One year later, the community increase from 50 to 900 people.

Life in Jonestown

People including children worked raising animals and food every day for almost 10 or 11
hours, and sometimes the temperature reached 38º Celsius. Finally, they had to listen to
“Father” Jones about their religion and sometimes about socialism.

If any of the followers tried to leave the community, he was drugged and sometimes tortured.
There were guards with guns patrolling all day.

Arrival of US Congressman Ryan and mass suicide

The congressman Lio Ryan flew to Jonestown to go over about the tortures. At the same
time, a group of journalist traveled to cover the story.

When they arrived, the father Jones received them. He spoke to them about the happiness of
the people who lived there. Later, the community had organized a party. Journalist and
congressman didn’t see anything unusual.

The next day in the morning, when the visitors try to leave the community, several people
wanted to go with them. The father Jones got angry, but he let them go. However, when
people boarded the plane, Jones ordered to shoot them, including the congressman and the
journalist.

Two hours later, Jones ordered that all members committed suicide. Most people didn’t want
to do, but they were forced to do. While people did, Jones said that this was just one step to
another level.

Finally, there were 912 deaths. Jones was found dead, with a shot in the head.