BANO: Ukiah Temple Defectors Parts 1&2

Year Published: 1978

Complete Record: 12663: THIS INTERVIEWS TAKES PLACE NOVEMBER 19, 1978, CU of a man being interviewed saying he received two letters from his daughter but it really never said anything specific. They really don’t tell the truth it’s more of a form letter. What is the content? They give the impression like everything you have heard is not true and where they are everything is beautiful and people from the States are harassing them. They tell you what you want to hear. He says the news he’s going to get from there is bad news. MS of a couple named Leena and George. They are being interviewed about recently being past People’s Temple members. The reporter asks if through all the terror could this possibly be exaggerated? If the peoples temple came to you and said they denounce violence would you believe them? The couple says no, they wouldn’t believe them. The woman says they do use violence. She’s asked to explain, she says she was beaten in that church with a belt. For having a cigarette and drinking a beer. The man states that he was always told to deny everything that happens there and tell the outside that things are fine. The man explains they never lived in the temple, yet they slowly began to take their money. It’s starts at 10 % than keeps going up until they want everything. They were instructed to only socialize with Temple people and little with others as possible. They are asked, why they put up with is treatment? They said because they would write out statements on paper and have them sign them. The threats kept them scared to leave. 12664: MS of a reporter saying that the People’s Temple members fear for their lives. Led by Jim Jones, who works in unexpected ways. They say talking about it is the best way to get the U.S. government involved and stop this man. CU of a black woman saying she couldn’t stand it anymore, esp. the way they were treating the old people. The woman demonstrates what she used to do when visitors came from other states, then she shows a photo of Jim. The reporter says he was a very charismatic man? The woman replies yes. She would walk around the temple and sell the photos of him, maybe for $5. The woman explains she heard about the church in Redwood Valley after her husband became sick. The man was known for his healing, therefore she decided to search out the church and got involved. The woman says Jim never threatened her. He was good to her, yet he knew who to be good to and who not to. She says, it’s the biggest lie ever been told saying that the Temple wasn’t into violence. She says one night they went up there and they pulled a shotgun on the woman in the car. Jim said it was the counselors that were responsible for the guns. CU of a photo of various photos of Jim. The woman is asked where all the money went? She said to the bank and she thinks buried in the ground. WS of four past members. A man comments about traveling and leaving their belongings for the church. MS of a woman said she just had faith in Jim. What made her leave People’s Temple? The woman struggles with her answer, saying she recently had a stroke. WS of all the past members sharing their stories. CU of a woman being interviewed saying the story is at appears to be.