Peoples Temple Collection; Box 7, Virtual item 11, Q50-Part 1- Jonestown community discusses Ryan's impending arrival (November 16, 1978)

Digital Record

Identifier: ms-0183_08.50 Part 1

Staff Only

Digital Object (mixed_materials)

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Dates

Digitized: 11/16/1978

Creator

Jones, Jim (Jones, James Warren) (Person)
Peoples Temple (Organization)

Summary Note

In connection with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) investigation into the assassination of U.S. Congressman LEO J. RYAN at Port Kaituma, Guyana, South America, on November 18, 1978, a tape recording was obtained. This tape recording was located in Jonestown, Guyana, South America, and was turned over to U.S. Officials in Guyana and subsequently transported to the United States. On June 24, 1979, Special Agent (name deleted) reviewed the tape numbered 1B60-4. This tape was found to contain the following: JIM JONES holding a meeting and discussing the visit tomorrow of Congressman RYAN and newsmen. He describes RYAN as a right wing reactionary and the visit as a CIA plot. Expressed resentment of uninviting demanding nature of visit, discussing RYAN in derogatory street terms, the possibility of flying the Russian flag, refusing admittance to group, seizing NBC cameras, etc. JONES stated he would like to "shoot his ass" and rather die than move. JONES stated the Russians and PPP (phonetic) have promised support. He reminds members to speak positive and as little as possible and furnish all letters to security unopened. JONES states he is tired as he has been up 8 days and mentions dying numerous times and earlier stated they have been through 84 "White Nights". Taped within a few days of the arrival of Rep. Leo Ryan and his party - which is already in Georgetown and is negotiating with Temple attorneys Charles Garry and Mark Lane for access to Jonestown o?N this recording is in two parts. The first is of a community filled with uncertainty, increasing defiance, and dwindling choices. Jim Jones often speaks about taking his own life on this tape, to the point that he stops considering any other alternative for himself, but he holds out other option for other people. Neither does he brand those who are considering other options as traitors o?N just as his rhetoric about life in the United States seems less inflamed than other tapes of the final days o?N but his criticism of the relatives who have accompanied the congressman (as well of Ryan himself) is scathing. Full summary of the recording available at Alternative Considerations of Jonestown website, along with the tape transcript.

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