On November 18, 1978, more than 900 Americans ended their lives by drinking lethal cyanide punch. They followed the order of their notorious leader, Jim Jones. Parents served deadly drinks to their kids and later drank themselves. As a result, within a few minutes, 918 people lost their lives. Let’s take an in-depth insight on the tragic event that shocked the world in 1978.
US Congressman Leo J. Ryan Traveled to Guyana
The California Congressman was deeply concerned about the news coming from Jonestown, the agricultural settlement established by Jim Jones in the dense jungle of Guyana. Many journalists had considered it a concentration camp rather than a spiritual place. The news of abuses, forced labor, imprisonments, drug abuse, mysterious deaths have raised some serious concerns in the USA.
In the fall of 1978, Ryan and three journalists decided to visit Guyana to figure out the truth behind the Peoples Temple Agricultural Project. Ryan and his delegation left for Guyana on November 14, 1978. After a few days, they reached Jonestown and started interviewing Jim Jones and many of his followers.
Not surprisingly, many members of the people's temple requested Ryan to rescue them, which eventually angered Jim Jones. Ryan wanted the entire group to leave together, fearing severe punishment to any member left behind. Unfortunately, the need for a second plane resulted in a delay in the departure.
They eventually gathered at a local airstrip, but as Ryan's delegation was about to leave, few armed men started shooting, which resulted in the death of Ryan and several others.
The Jonestown Mass Suicide
Meanwhile, back in the agricultural settlement, Jones was plotting a destructive plan. He called all of his followers and ordered them to swallow fruit drink that was mixed with cyanide. He brainwashed them that the attack on Ryan's delegation would harm the residents of Jonestown.
Though few of them have objected to this, eventually, more than 900 members, including more than 200 children, lost their lives, resulting in the Jonestown Massacre, one of the biggest human-made tragedies in American history.
The followers of the People's temple moved from the USA to the agricultural community located in the dense jungle of Guyana to escape from the racism, discrimination, and persecution in the United States. Instead, they ended up becoming trapped in a concentration camp in which they are forced to work for long hours with little food and lots of abuse.
Unveiling of Jonestown Memorial
However, people often wonder if the people who died in Jonestown have any memorial. On May 30, 2011, a permanent memorial for those who perished at Jonestown, Guyana, was unveiled.
If you are thinking, where is Jonestown Memorial located in the United States? The Jonestown memorial is located at Evergreen Cemetery in Oakland. It consists of gray, granite panels carved with the names of all 918 people who died at Jonestown.
The evergreen cemetery is the final resting place of the victims of the Jonestown massacre, the only cemetery in the United States that open-heartedly accepted victims' bodies despite the controversy associated with the Jonestown.
“Write something, even if it’s just a suicide note.” ?
Gore Vidal “Suicide is the most sincere form of self-criticism.” ?
Anonymous “It is not worth the bother of killing yourself since you always kill yourself too late.” ?
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