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March 5, 1978
Prime Minister Forbes Burnham
Public Buildings
Brickdam
Dear Prime Minister Burnham,
IRS CONSPIRACY: UPDATE ON CURRENT HARASSMENT BY THE IRS
We thought we should bring to your attention at the earliest opportunity information we have received from a friend working in the IRS. This woman told us that someone in the inter-structure of that department is disgruntled about our presence in Guyana, most notably our giving money to this government in Guyana. There is a memo to this effect and we are hoping to get a copy without jeopardizing, of course, this person’s job. She is a friend who has helped other progressive people in the past when the IRS has thought to initiate some form of harassment.
The IRS is noted for its auxillary function as an arm of harassment against third world and civil rights leaders. Jack Anderson, a highly respected nationally known columnist, revealed that an IRS agent stepped forward recently and admitted the use of the IRS as a weapon for political harassment. This did not end with the Nixen [Richard Nixon] era. This officer stated that the agency still continues with petty harassment, hate mail, and even such sordid techniques as anonymous phone calls and arranging for the water and electricity of a targeted individual or organization to be cut off.
The IRS shares no love for Carter. All prominent and respected black and civil rights leaders have been subjected to the IRS “for treatment” over the years. Cecil Williams, an outstanding clergyman who is very active in civil rights, and who has always avoided being labeled a Socialist, has been undergoing an IRS investigation for over two years. Lt. Gov. Dymally has also been investigated by the IRS and he may still be under investigation.
One of the more sinister aspects of this kind of harassment is that the IRS camouflages its activities under a mask of bureaucratic secrecy, and has no objection to inform an individual when and if an IRS investigation has been completed. They retain for themselves as a practical matter an unfettered license to pry, investigate and interfere with the functioning of persons and organizations it deems “undesirable.” For political reasons often such investigations may be initiated and conducted by a single person within the department who may single out persons or organizations based on his or her own personal perspective regardless of what is right or wrong.
This latest move against our organization represents the second time the IRS has conducted such harassment against us. Many years ago we took a strong stance against Vietnam. This was very early on in the anti-war movement, and we were selected for IRS harassment. Over eighty of our church members were called during the investigation. One of our members, Mrs. Jack Beam, got out her files of every receipt she had accumulated over the years. She marched
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into the IRS, dumped the contents of the boxes all over the IRS investigator’s desk and told the startled man to look through it all if he wanted. The investigation abruptly ceased and we were not bothered after that.
This latest move was undoubtedly organized, as the visit came on the same day that an attempt was made to file against Jim Jones and a few other persons both in Guyana and in the US, two groundless, flimsy, civil suits. We are frankly surprised that those behind this conspiracy have not tried to frame us on more than two simple, easily won civil suits.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. We just wanted to give you some background on the issue.
Cooperatively yours,
/Sharon Amos/
Sharon Amos
P.S. One other thing we wanted to tell you. One official made the remark to another official (which we overheard) that Venezuela will take care of those Jonestown Yankees. It is very painful hearing this coming from such high sources. This is very alienating to us and it is bizarre that someone should have such disloyalty that they would say such a thing. We can’t imagine they would want us to be taken over by the Venezuelans. We can give you the official’s name when you are ready to come visit us.