[Letterhead of attorney Philip Martin, San Francisco]
August 2, 1977
Honorable Forbes Burnham
Prime Minister
Government Buildings
Brickdam
Georgetown, Guyana
South America
Re: People’s Temple
Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
I want to highly recommend to you the work and organization of People’s Temple.
Although I have no personal official association with People’s Temple, I am familiar with its work in this city. It is an unusual and unique organization, which puts religious principles into practice by working on the day-to-day problems of the people in this community. Its programs in child care, legal aid, housing, and rehabilitation enjoy an outstanding reputation. The people I have met from the Temple have been unfailingly courteous, enthusiastic and public-spirited.
Recent attempts to smear the Temple here in San Francisco are, as far as I can tell, without any foundation in fact. I urge you to look only to the facts, and to the experience of Temple members in your country, in judging the motivations and accomplishments of this fine organization.
Thank you for your attention.
Yours very truly.
/s/ Philip Martin
Philip Martin
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[Editor’s note: The complete version of this letter appears here.]
[Letterhead of E. Bob Wallach, San Francisco]
August 3, 1977
The Honorable Forbes Burnham, Prime Minister
Republic of Guyana
Public Buildings
Brickdam Georgetown, Guyana
Dear Prime Minister Burnham:
I appreciate this opportunity to direct your attention to the work of the People’s Temple of San Francisco. At the request of Gene Chaiken [Chaikin], Legal Counsel for the Temple, I thought it appropriate to extend my personal appraisal to you of the work they do here in San Francisco so that it may add to their credibility in their efforts in your own country.
As a matter of introduction, 1 am a past president of the Bar Association of San Francisco (1975), a professor of law at Hastings College of the Law and Consultant to the Dean at that school. I am a lawyer in active private practice. I do not belong to People’s Temple and my only contact with them has been as a result of our shared interests in a variety of community projects in this city.
I have had an opportunity to meet and talk at length with Reverend Jim Jones, examined fully the services and programs of the People’s Temple and know their reputation in this community in a variety of sources.
In all respects, the People’s Temple makes a major contribution to the social wellbeing of this city, particularly among the disadvantaged, minorities and disabled within our community. Those individuals who often find it difficult to assemble support for their position as they seek to obtain lawful and appropriate rights from our society find a strong and giving ally in Reverend Jim Jones and those with whom he works.
In any community such as ours, there are bound to be those who express concern, and even disapproval, of the work performed by the People’s Temple. By and large, I am forced to conclude that most, if not all, of those who criticize the work of the People’s Temple do so from a vantage point of ignorance and without a full understanding of the major social objectives and significant daily contributions made by the Temple to the personal lives of thousands of individuals Hiving in our city.
I prefer to believe that if they had a full opportunity to understand the work being done that it would allay their suspicions and put their fears to rest.
While I do not have personal contact with the work being done in your Republic by the People’s Temple, I have had it fully described to me and most certainly believe in both the concept and the realization which appears to be a daily event. Projects designed to provide a new life for people without hope demand our full support, yet seldom receive
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it from the established governmental facilities.
You are to be congratulated and emulated in your contribution with the People’s Temple to convert hopeless lives into persons of contribution and significance.
If I can provide any additional information to you at any time, please
don’t hesitate to let me know. Best regards.
Very truly yours,
/s/ E. Robert Wallach
E. Robert Wallach
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[Letterhead of Gilbert Graham, San Francisco Lawyers Committee for Urban Affairs]
August 2, 1977
The Honorable Forbes Burnham
Prime Minister, Government Buildings
Brickdam
Georgetown, Guyana, South America
RE Peoples Temple
Dear Prime Minister Burnham:
I am writing to express my views of the very fine work being done by the Peoples Temple. I have attended services at the Temple in San Francisco and taken a tour of their facilities. I was favorably impressed by their very strong spirit and morale of the people working at the Temple, and by the programs in which they were involved. The Temple has vigorous programs involving serving free food to mainly poor, elderly people; job-training programs; a printing shop and facilities; a program training people in media work; a thorough school involved in the basics, drama, art and other curricula; several thriving business enterprises; as well as a very moving religious exercise. The members of Peoples Temple appear deeply committed to the cause of social justice, and to the dedicated efforts of their Reverend Jim Jones and other members of the church in addressing existing social injustices.
I am sure that the people of Guyana will similarly benefit from the programs taking place in your country.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Gilbert Graham
Gilbert Graham
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(Editor’s note: This letter also appears here.)
[Letterhead of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom]
August 9, 1977
Honorable Forbes Burnham
Prime Minister, Guyana
Government Buildings
Brickdam
Georgetown, Guyana
Dear Sir:
I have been familiar with the career of Rev. Jim Jones for many years. He has done outstanding work with our troubled youth, the needy aged, the sick and the poor.
I feel he is under attack because he has chosen to question the system that breeds the above adversities. If the Rev. Jones spoke for the corporations and not for the people, he would not find himself so bitterly assailed by our press.
We hear great things of the Peoples’ Temple Project in Guyana. We are grateful for your government’s kindness and cooperation. I hope it shall continue.
Respectfully,
/s/ Vivian Hallinan
Vivian Hallinan