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PART II
AIR FORCE SURVEILLANCE
OF PEOPLES TEMPLE UNDER
THE DIRECTION OF
SENATOR STENNIS
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INTRODUCTION
On November 7, 1976, Unita Blackwell Wright (the black woman mayor of Mayersville, Mississippi), spoke at our church in San Francisco. During the course of her speech, one of our members who was standing at the front door noticed two men who were obviously listening to her speech from the corridor between the Temple and the Meaders Cleaners building next door. When the same Temple member approached them, they quickly left the corridor and hurried down the sidewalk to their car. The Temple member took down the license plate number (412 PTK) and identify the vehicle as a two-door, brown Ford Granada. The license plate checked out to be that of a car belonging to Budget Airport Association, 830 L Street, Sacramento, California. We checked to see who had rented the car and found it had been issued to Thomas Dawsey of Biloxi, Mississippi. The clerk at Budget Airport Association showed us the car rental documents from which we ascertained Mr. Dawsey’s name and home address. Further research provided Dawsey’s home phone number which we subsequently called. Members of his family braggingly told us that Mr. Dawsey’s employment as an electronics expert in a governmental agency guided by Senator Stennis. We believe Mr. Dawsey’s rank to be EMC-13.
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We put all this information together in a letter to Mr. Stennis with copies to various Congresspersons. We also send copies to the media. We protested, on basis of what we had found, this outright invasion of our privacy and registered our opposition to such harassment in case of its recurrence. We did receive some responses – all sympathetic. Congressman Philip Burton wrote to the Air Force asking for an explanation of this incident, and received the reply that they were unable to investigate the private matters which may have involved the Peoples Temple and Mr. Thomas Dawsey. Mr. Burton responded with yet another letter to the Air Force and received what was essentially the same noncommittal reply. Our only letter to Senator Stennis was documented as received by his office through a return receipt. We have still received no reply from his office.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS TAKING PLACE AT THE TIME OF MRS. UNITA BLACKWELL WRIGHT’S VISIT TO PEOPLES TEMPLE
II. LIST OF EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT A: LETTER TO SENATOR STENNIS
EXHIBIT B: RETURN RECEIPT FROM STENNIS LETTER
EXHIBIT C: LETTER RECEIVED FROM CONGRESSMAN PHILIP BURTON
EXHIBIT D: COPY OF LETTER IN WHICH THE AIR FORCE RESPONDS TO CONGRESSMAN BURTON AND COVER LETTER TO PEOPLES TEMPLE
EXHIBIT E: COPY OF CONGRESSMAN BURTON’S SECOND LETTER TO THE AIR FORCE AND COPY OF THEIR SECOND REPLY TO HIM
EXHIBIT F: LETTER RECEIVED FROM COLORADO CONGRESSWOMAN PATRICIA SCHROEDER
EXHIBIT G: LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN PAUL MCCLOSKEY
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EXHIBIT H: LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN MORRIS UDALL
EXHIBIT I: LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN MICHAEL J. HARRINGTON
EXHIBIT J: PEOPLES FORUM, ARTICLE FROM VOLUME 1, NUMBER 13
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LIST OF EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT A: LETTER TO SENATOR STENNIS
This letter was sent to Senator Stennis and copies were sent to some 50 additional Centers and congresspersons. Copies were also sent to the media. The letter gives a detailed description of the events that took place when Mrs. Unita Blackwell Wright spoke to our church congregation.
EXHIBIT B: RETURN RECEIPT FROM STENNIS LETTER
This is the return receipt which documents the fact that Senator Stennis received our letter.
EXHIBIT C: LETTER RECEIVED FROM CONGRESSMAN BURTON
In this letter from Congressman Philip Burton, we are advised that he has contacted the Air Force in response to the information contained in the Stennis letter copy directed to him.
EXHIBIT D: COPY OF LETTER IN WHICH THE AIR FORCE RESPONDS TO CONGRESSMAN BURTON AND MR. BURTON’S COVER LETTER TO US
The Air Force responded to Congressman Philip Burton’s
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inquiry, a copy of which Mr. Burton sent to us with the attached cover letter. The Air Force states:
* “We regret that we were, and still are, unable to investigate the private matters which may have been involved the Peoples Temple and Mr. Thomas N. Dawsey.”
* The letter also mentions that Mr. Dawsey’s position at Kessler Air Force Base is that of electronic engineer and that his duties are to check interference between communications and electronics equipment.
EXHIBIT E: COPY OF CONGRESSMAN BURTON’S SECOND LETTER TO THE AIR FORCE AND COPY OF THEIR SECOND REPLY TO HIM
Congressman Burton was unsatisfied with the response he had received from the Air Force and sent a second request for information. In their reply, the Air Force states:
* “Since no military law or directive appears to have been violated, the alleged activities are not within the Air Force’s investigative jurisdiction.”
EXHIBIT F: LETTER RECEIVED FROM COLORADO CONGRESSWOMAN PATRICIA SCHROEDER
This letter was sent to us by Congresswoman Schroeder in response to the copy of the Stennis letter we had directed to her. In her reply to us she states:
* “Something does seem awry here.”
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EXHIBIT G: LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN PAUL MCCLOSKEY
Congressman McCloskey states that he has contacted Congressman Philip Burton’s office regarding the Stennis letter and has learned Mr. Burton is investigating the matter with the Air Force and, if necessary, with the CIA.
EXHIBIT H: LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN MORRIS UDALL
Congressman Udall acknowledges receipt of our Stennis letter.
EXHIBIT I: LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN MICHAEL J. HARRINGTON
Congressman Harrington acknowledges receipt of our Stennis letter.
EXHIBIT J: PEOPLES FORUM, ARTICLE FROM VOLUME 1, NUMBER 13
This article on the visit of Unita Blackwell Wright and related incidents was printed by Peoples Temple in our monthly newspaper, the Peoples Forum. The article documents the events relating to the men from Mississippi and their “dropping by” Peoples Temple.
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EXHIBIT A
November 16, 1976
Senator John C. Stennis
United States Senator
205 Old Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Stennis:
In the atmosphere following the debacle of the Nixon administration, the public was led to believe that the compilation of “enemy lists,” the collection of dossiers, the web of intrigue and investigation surrounding private citizens that characterized those unfortunate years was coming to an end. However, a series of peculiar events last week led to a rather unusual discovery, one which seems to belie the promise of the post-Watergate climate, and one in which I am sure you will be interested. I hope that you will bear with me if this letter seems overly long, but details are necessary to fully grasp the impact of the situation.
As you are perhaps aware, Peoples Temple Christian Church, of the Disciples of Christ, a denomination numbering upwards of 2 million whose members include FBI Director Clarence Kelly and many congresspersons, is a multi-ethnic church whose theological emphasis is upon the social gospel of Jesus Christ. We stress the value of a life of human service, and to this end the church has a large variety of programs that serve the needs of people from every racial and socio-economic background. Central to our philosophy is a deep commitment to the principles of democracy as embodied in our Bill of Rights – foremost among these being freedom of speech, press, religion, and peaceful assembly. Equally important is the concomitant right to privacy. We do not believe that it is possible to maintain a viable democracy without a vigilant and spirited dedication to liberty. So it is not unusual for our congregations to invite speakers from all walks of life and every phase of the philosophical spectrum to discuss their views. John Birchers, moderate Republicans, liberals and progressives alike have spoken at our churches. We like to think of ourselves as an open forum for a free exchange of ideas.
Thus, when Ms. Unita Blackwell Wright, Mayor of Meyersville, Miss., offered to address several thousand members of our San Francisco congregation at one of our services on Sunday, November 7, the congregation gladly accepted. No doubt you are familiar with Ms. Wright, as she has been actively involved in the civil rights movement for many years, and was among the first American women to visit China with actress Shirley MacLaine in 1973. We think that an exposure to a variety of life’s experiences
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can only serve to sharpen one’s ability to separate the wheat from the chaff, and, as we have never had a speaker who could give an eyewitness view of China, we were interested in hearing her perspective.
Ms. Wright gave a humorous, down to earth, sincere talk on her ideas for peaceful, positive social change. I am basically a political moderate, cynical of all Utopian solutions. I can say that Ms. Wright at no time advocated the adoption of China’s ideological structure; she merely pointed out some of the positive aspects of Chinese society, such as the absence of the need for locked doors and the safety of the streets at night, and suggested how America could emulate these characteristics to strengthen our own nation. (Even moderate members of Congress recognize that some kinds of changes are necessary within the framework of our democratic system.) She was hardly a “wild-eyed radical” and we are not starry-eyed idealists about China or any other foreign country. Certainly we would never support a dictatorial regime of whatever political label. Honestly, it is difficult for us to see how mature, responsible people can seriously believe that complex social ills can be eradicated by Utopian panaceas.
However, this innocuous exercise in one of our basic constitutional guarantees – freedom of speech – did not go by unnoticed by those who, it seems, would want to deny us this fundamental liberty.
Senator Stennis, there were other, uninvited guests that Sunday. Outside two men sat in a parked car which later proved to be rented from Sacramento. One of them reportedly had a tape recorder and was seen skulking about the side of our building eavesdropping. He was followed to the parked vehicle some distance away from the church.
Naturally, their covert interest in a Sunday church service aroused the curiosity of the over 4,000 of our members who were present for this second morning service, among them several reporters who decided to do their own investigation. It appears that the car was rented by a Mr. Thomas Dawsey. Mr. Dawsey is one of your constituents from Biloxi. Apparently, Mr. Dawsey, having been picked up at the airport Saturday by the rental agency, drove to San Francisco Sunday morning and parked some distance from our building. The car was returned Monday morning.
Some of Mr. Dawsey’s relatives and friends furnished additional information that sheds a bizarre light on the picture. According to these contacts, Mr. Dawsey is an electronics expert working
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for a governmental agency that is guided by yourself. This particular point was told by one relative and confirmed by another source. Although we are not in agreement with your point of view, at times, nevertheless, as Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, as well as the Central Intelligence and Preparedness Subcommittees, you are a Senator who has obviously been dedicated to the interests of our country for many years. These are facts that seem to corroborate the accuracy of all that Mr. Dawsey’s relatives and friends said about the nature of his work. Supposedly, Mr. Dawsey is a very high ranking member of a communications “team” (I believe that his rating is EMC 13) whose activities you are primarily responsible for. Allegedly, the activities of these select groups (one source said that there are also teams in Missouri and California) are connected with the Air Force and Kessler Base in Mississippi, near Biloxi. One relative did say that the team members were concerned with checking out possible interference with radar communication that could jeopardize our national defense, a purpose that cannot be relevant to the clandestine scrutiny of a Christian Church service, or the cloak of secrecy.
Precipitate judgments can prove faulty, of course, but when electronics experts sit outside our church, clearly trying to hear what is going on inside, we begin to wonder. After all, if their motive was innocent, why didn’t they just come inside and identify the organization they represented? It would have saved them, and us, a great deal of trouble.
Latin America is alive with rumors that our government has been cooperating with efforts to introduce communications experts along the Guyanese border as part of some destabilization attempt. We have an agricultural mission on several thousand acres in that country and heretofore have not believed these rumors, passing them off as a hypersensitivity to U.S. influence in Latin America. Now we begin to wonder.
Peoples Temple is not interested in becoming enmeshed in a public campaign against mushrooming government surveillance. In fact, we are asking those who receive copies of this letter not to make its contents public, because we adhere to the principle that one is innocent of a wrong-doing until proven guilty. Moreover, we cannot see what purpose would be served either in creating further division among the American people, or presenting a false image of America as a police state to the world at large. We still have great faith in America, but in the event that it becomes evident that the First Amendment is being challenged in any segment of American life and society to an intolerable degree,
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several prominent journalists have been given both this letter and the supporting documentation and have agreed to go ahead with a story only upon our direct request. However, we require some clarification as to the nature of an operation that sends personnel all the way from Biloxi, Mississippi to “spy out our liberty,” to quote a Scripture. One Congressman told us that it bore the earmarks of CIA involvement. Our privacy and that of Ms. Unita Wright have been grossly invaded, and we feel that to sit quietly by and tolerate its continued violation would denigrate our self-respect and moral integrity.
Sunday’s incident was not the first time our church has been subjected to harassment. A brief look at just a few of the incidents we have experienced will, I think, serve to put our present concern in perspective, although they are not necessarily connected with Sunday’s incident.
- Some time ago, one of our churches was burned down. The Fire Inspector said that it was clearly the work of a professional arsonist.
- On numerous occasions we have received harassing phone calls. One incident particularly stands out in my mind because it was so cruel. A person mimicked the voice of one of our ministers, and he said he was going to commit suicide. Another time a caller said that our Pastor had been killed. Some of the recipients of these calls were senior citizens whose health could have been jeopardized by the shock.
- At other times, strangers have called our church offices, saying that church officials had called and insulted them rudely, and not one of our members had ever even heard of the person making the complaint!
- We were sent what was, from outward appearances, authentic newspaper copy of a story that allegedly was to be printed about us – a very negative “article.” The object was to alienate us from the paper in question, a newspaper with whom we were, and continue to be on excellent terms. Since that time both the establishment and alternative press have been more than favorable to our work.
- Our Pastor was sent a bouquet of flowers and a sympathy card – with his “death” given as a date in the very near future. One Of his children received it.
- A bomb was placed underneath the bus our Pastor was to ride on one night. The Bomb Squad came to dismantle the device. Many children and seniors would have been riding that bus as well.
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- Finally, several years ago we found out that some telephone operators were monitoring our office calls for days at a stretch. (This occurred in a rural community at a time when our attorney’s office phones did not yet have the direct dialing system.) Having found nothing nefarious to report, they finally discontinued the activity. One operator stepped forward and told us what was happening. The telephone company investigated and said her information appeared correct but her testimony would be required at a hearing. She told us, in tears, that if she were to testify, she would be unbearably pressured by racist elements within her department. One of the investigators said this was probably so and it was likely that the woman would lose her job. Our Pastor and the majority of the Board of Trustees felt that we had a primary obligation to see that she did not suffer for her honesty and, as our sole interest that this invasion of privacy be stopped had been achieved, we decided not to publicize the matter.
- Just the other evening a person who refused to identify himself came by our headquarters asking information regarding our Pastor’s travel schedule, specifically, what bus he regularly rode. He also was insistent about knowing the Pastor’s home address.
Our aim, Senator Stennis, is not to raise a cry of “persecution.” That kind of crusade is against our nature entirely. But we thought that this latest incident required a response on our part so that we can be on record as opposing this harassment, in the event we are bothered in the future. Until this time we had no concern about government interference with our privacy. As a result of these events, however, we now do intend to make disclosure requests to all appropriate government agencies under the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Freedom of Information Act.
Peoples Temple has taken youth from militant backgrounds and made them once again believe that it is possible to work for change within the system. Many conservative leaders in both the political and business spheres, together with liberals, support our church as one of the most effective deterrents to Communism or tyranny in any form. Our programs have rescued literally hundreds from lives of crime and drugs, and we know of no actively participating young person having any difficulty with the law.
We also arrange for free medical care for those in need. Just last week, in one morning alone, over 1000 people were given inoculations against several strains of influenza by doctors working in our church. (Governmental officials say these strains of
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flu are threatening our nation’s health. Each year we always follow their guidelines and see that every member is provided with the medical care recommended.) The program of inoculations was continued daily. Peoples Temple paid the bill.
Repeated harassment can only serve to undermine the respect for our democratic system that the church has helped to foster in embittered young people. If it were not for the calm, controlled, and understanding leadership of our Pastor, no doubt many of these youths would be encouraged to return to a life of crime and militant activity by this kind of surveillance.
Peoples Temple has found that no group has a corner on truth or a franchise on reality. We have learned to listen although we may thoroughly disapprove. But we are tired of being annoyed and spied upon just because we choose to exercise our civil liberties. When relatives openly brag that government personnel are responsible to you and that you are accountable only to the President, it raises serious questions. Out of respect for you and your office, we decided to solicit your reply. One friend remarked that you are a powerful man who is organizing these groups for special undisclosed reasons that would serve the nation. Frankly, I do not see how eavesdropping on 4-5,000 people exercising their First Amendment rights in a Sunday church service will preserve the nation from destruction. Please enlighten us. In the meantime, Peoples Temple will continue to maintain our rights of freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, and we will defend these rights with our lives, if necessary.
Sincerely,
/s/ Jean Brown
Jean F. Brown
c/o Peoples Temple
1859 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco, California 94115
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[Return receipt which documents the fact that Senator Stennis received letter from Peoples Temple]
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[Letterhead of Rep. Phillip Burton]
December 2, 1976
Ms. Jean Brown
Peoples Temple Staff
P.O. BOX 15157
San Francisco, Ca. 94115
Dear Ms. Brown:
I am in receipt of your recent letter regarding the surveillance of Peoples Temple by persons affiliated with the Air Force.
In Order to be of assistance to you in this matter I have contacted the Department of the Air Force.
I will be in immediate contact with you upon receiving a response from the Department of the Air Force.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
/s/ Phillip Burton
Phillip Burton
Member of Congress
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[Letterhead of Rep. Phillip Burton]
February 8, 1977
Ms. Jean Brown
People’s Temple
P.O. Box 15157
San Francisco, California 94115
Dear Ms. Brown:
In reference to your letter regarding the activities of Mr. Tommy Dawsey, I am enclosing letters I received from the Department of the Air Force in response to my inquiries on this matter.
The enclosed letters are self-explanatory and forwarded for your information.
If you have any further information, or if I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Kindest personal regards,
Sincerely,
/s/ Phillip Burton
Phillip Burton
Member of Congress
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[Letterhead of Department of the Air Force]
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON 20350
Jan 18 1977
Dear Mr. Burton:
This is in reply to your most recent inquiry in behalf of Ms. Jean Brown of Peoples Temple Christian Church.
We regret that we were, and still are, unable to investigate the private matters which may have involved the Peoples Temple and Mr. Tommy N. Dawsey. We are sure you can appreciate the legal aspects of the Air Force getting involved in the personal lives of private citizens.
As we previously mentioned, Mr. Dawsey is a civil service employee assigned to the 1839 Electronics Installation Group (EIG) at Keesler AFB, Mississippi. He is an electronic engineer responsible for providing electromagnetic compatibility engineering services. His duties involve checking interference between communications/electronics equipment.
The mission of the 1239 EIG is to install and maintain electronic and communication systems for the Air Force, and to provide electromagnetic compatibility engineering services. No aspect of that mission involves the surveillance of private citizens or organizations, except for possible commercial television or radio stations interfering with base facilities.
Thank you for your interest, and we hope this information is of assistance.
Sincerely,
[illegible stamped name]
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[Letterhead of Department of the Air Force]
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON 20350
Jan 20 1977
Dear Mr. Burton:
This is in reply to your most recent inquiry in behalf of the Peoples Temple Christian Church concerning the duty status of Mr. Tommy N. Dawsey.
The Commander of the 1839th Electronics Installation Group at Kessler AFB, Mississippi, advises that official records reflect Mr. Dawsey’s duty status for the period October 13 to November 22, 1976, was as follows:
October 13 – Departed Keesler APB, Mississippi, on Temporary Duty. Arrived Mather AFB, California. Purpose: Burroughs 3500 Computer Remote Terminal (CRT) Enhancement . Project
October 14-15 – Mather AFB
October 16-17 – Non-duty
October 16-19 – Mather AFB
October 20 – Departed Mather AFB. Arrived Vandenberg AFB, California. Purpose: Communications Circuit Quality Improvement Task
October 21-22 – Vandenberg AFB
October 23 – Departed Vandenberg AFB (Non-duty)
October 24 – Non-duty
October 25 – Arrived March AFB (Non-duty – Veterans Day). Purpose: Burroughs 3500 CRT Project
October 26-29 – March AFB
October 30-31 – Non-duty
November 1-3 – March AFB
November 4 – Departed March AFB. Arrived Mather AFB. Purpose: Burroughs 3500 CRT Project
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November 5 – Mather AFB [Handwritten: “Friday’]
November 6-7 – Non-duty [Handwritten: “Saturday, Sunday
November 8-12 – Mather AFB [Handwritten: “Monday, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Friday”]
November 13-14 – Non-duty [Handwritten: “Sat, Sun.”]
November 15-16 – Mather AFB [Handwritten: “Monday, Tues.”]
November 17 – Departed Mather AFB. Arrived Kessler AFB. (Mission Complete). [Handwritten: “Weds.”]
November 18-19 – Kessler AFB [Handwritten: “Thurs. Fri.”]
November 20-21 – Non-duty 3 [Handwritten: “Sat. Sunday”]
November 22 – Kessler AFB [Handwritten: “Monday”]
We understand and appreciate your personal concern over this matter and hope the foregoing information will be of assistance.
Sincerely,
[illegible stamped name]
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[Letterhead of Rep. Phillip Burton]
Lt. Colonel Thomas S. Collins
Congressional Inquiry Division
Office of Legislative Liaison
Department of the Air Force
The Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20330
Dear Colonel Collins:
I am in receipt of your letter dated December 17, 1976, in response to my inquiry on the case, Ms. Jean Brown and the People’s Temple of San Francisco.
People’s Temple of San Francisco has a very legitimate concern in this matter. Either Mr. Tommy N. Dawsey, or some individual using this name, was involved in the surveillance of a People’s Temple gathering.
Your reply that the Commander of Keesler Air Force Base “states that his organization is not involved in any type of operation described by Ms. Brown” is not responsive.
Mr. Dawsey, or someone using his name, was involved in this “type of operation”. My inquiry is directed at the activities of Mr. Dawsey. Mr. Dawsey was either not involved and therefore his name was used fraudulently, or else he was involved in some capacity. Even if Mr. Dawsey’s involvement was in a private rather than professional capacity, this remains a serious matter.
My question still remains, was Mr. Dawsey involved in the surveillance of People’s Temple?
Secondly, what are Mr. Dawsey’s assigned duties at Kessler Air Force Base and what is the specific mission of the 1839 Electronics Installation Group at Kessler AFB.
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Lt. Colonel Thomas S. Collins
January 10, 1977
Page 2
I look forward to your early reply to these questions.
Sincerely,
/s/ Phil Burton
Phillip Burton
Member of Congress
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[Letterhead of Rep. Patricia Schroeder]
November 30, 1976
Jean F. Brown
c/o Peoples Temple
1859 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94115
Dear Ms. Brown:
Thank you for your recent letter.
Something does seem awry here. I would appreciate your sending me a copy of Senator Stennis’ reply when you receive it. I am very much concerned about this kind of surveillance and would like to be kept informed of further difficulties you experience in this area.
With kind regards.
Sincerely,
/s/ Patricia Schroeder
Patricia Schroeder
Member of Congress
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[Letterhead of Rep. Paul M. McCloskey]
December 9, 1976
Ms. Jean F. Brown
c/o Peoples Temple
1859 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco, California 94115
Dear Ms. Brown:
I have contacted Congressman Burton’s office regarding some of the allegations you raised and they are presently investigating the matter with the Air Force and, if necessary, the CIA. Their response should determine whether any further action, legal or otherwise, should be taken by your organization.
I would appreciate your keeping me informed of any new developments.
Sincerely,
/s/ Pete McCloskey
Paul N. McCloskey
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[Letterhead of Rep. Morris K. Udall]
November 30, 1976
Ms. Jean F. Brown
c/o Peoples Temple
1859 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, California 94115
Dear Ms. Brown:
I acknowledge your November 16 letter and thank you for sharing with me what I find is a most moving appeal to Senator Stennis.
I am happy to have this information for my records.
Sincerely,
/s/ Mo Udall
Morris K. Udall
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[Letterhead of Rep. Michael J. Harrington]
December 1, 1976
Ms. Jean Brown
c/o Peoples Temple
1859 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco
Calif. 94115
Dear Ms. Brown,
Thank you for your letter informing me of the harassment you and your church are undergoing.
At the present time, the only suggestion I have to offer you is that you follow up on your letter to Senator Stennis. Then you can proceed from there. If it is possible, please keep me informed on any progress you are making.
If I can be of any assistance to you, feel free to contact my office.
Yours sincerely,
/s/ Michael J. Harrington
Michael J. Harrington
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[Letterhead of Department of the Air Force]
Dec 17 1976
Dear Mr. Burton:
This is in reply to your inquiry in behalf of Ms. Jean F. Brown of the Peoples Temple Christian Church. Ms. Brown was concerned over the actions of a Mr. Thomas Dawsey.
While a Mr. Tommy N. Dawsey is a civil service employee assigned to 1839 Electronics Installation Group at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, the commander states that his organization is not involved in any type operation as described by Ms. Brown.
Since no military law or directive appears to have been violated, the alleged activities are not within the Air Force’s investigative jurisdiction.
We understand your concern and regret we cannot be of more assistance.
Sincerely,
/s/ Thomas S. Collins
Thomas S. Collins. Lt Colonel USAF
Congressional Inquiry Division
Office of Legislative Liaison
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[Article in PEOPLES FORUM, VOL. 1, NO. 13, 1st December Issue, 1976]
INTIMIDATION WON’T SUCCEED
On Sunday, November 7, several thousand people gathered at Peoples Temple to hear a warm, vibrant speaker tell of her experience of traveling to China. Ms. Unita Blackwell Wright, mayor of Mayersville, Mississippi, longtime civil rights activist and one of the first American women to visit China with actress Shirley Maclaine in 1973, gave a down to earth talk on some of the things that she had seen on her journey. She did not advocate the adoption of Chinese political ideology, but pointed out some of the positive aspects of Chinese society such as the absence of hunger, unlocked doors and the safety of streets at night
Nevertheless, her discussion evidently aroused the interest of people in high levels of government. Two officials connected with a government agency sat outside equipped with what was reported to be a tape recorder. A check has revealed information indicating that the eavesdropping agency is not among the usual ones that the nation has become accustomed to – CIA, FBI, Treasury Dept, and ether regulatory agencies. The facts seem to point to a sophisticated operation initiated by one powerful person high in government circles. We do not want to create further division in American society, so at this time, we are not disclosing all the details. But we do have a reasonable basis for this conclusion.
We have received telephone calls from people who are very sophisticated, telling our staff that if we do not refrain from speaking out on certain controversial issues, the name of Peoples Temple, and its pastor will be sullied, and ultimately ruined. One of our members, an amateur radio operator who maintains contact with our agricultural mission abroad, was informed that Peoples Temple would be attacked in that quarter and communication cut off. Assassination threats come with increasing regularity, and have been reported tp the police. On one occasion a bomb was found under one of the buses that our pastor always rides. Children and seniors would also have been on it at the intended time of explosion. The police bomb squad dismantled it.
The elements of reaction should know that if such a close brush with death did not stop our voice, then threats of violence and other forms of intimidation will likewise have no effect. They have only caused us to increase security so that it will be that much more difficult to harm any of our members. If necessary, we will employ off-duty police. We will not have our thoughts stifled or our ideas smothered. Those who would flagrantly mock our first amendment liberties have succeeded only in making us that much bolder in our defense of freedom.
Peoples Temple does not glorify any particular government. We think the complex problems facing American society have to find a resolution tailored to America’s needs. Our system provides a framework ; wherein the necessary changes for social justice can be made. Members of Congress and other leaders of our nation have called for changes to avert the danger of a shift to the far right in political orientation. Notwithstanding the gross meglomania that we have seen in certain socialist countries, even Time magazine is forced to admit that far more tortures are perpetrated in right-wing, capitalist nations. Far more flagrant abuses of human rights were fostered in corporate states such as Nazi Germany than we have ever seen in socialist democracies.
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INTIMIDATION
The terrors of Chile are a prime example. A good man came to our church, Orlando Letelier, and although we did not agree with all of his political philosophy, we felt him to be a sincere spokesperson for freedom in Chile. A few weeks later this courageous man was assassinated in broad daylight on Embassy Row in Washington, D.C. He had been warned in statements to his family (from what we have been able to learn of the case) that he would be killed if he did not stop speaking out for democracy in Chile.
This country must be maintained on the road to social democracy. It is beginning to appear that our corporate . state has gotten out of touch with the needs of its people. Massive corporations now own nursing homes that used to be owned by people who understood the individual needs of the patients. Corporations own massive farms where the people who own the land never touch the soil and are squeezing the middle class farmer totally out of existence. Examples of corporate insensitivity would fill volumes. The corporate state is just not the solution, and the American people need to recognize this and respond. We do not hold with China’s political philosophy; however, we. do not see how Mrs. Wright’s visit to China can endanger our country in any conceivable way, nor how it justifies the sending of spies half-way across the country to follow her activities at our church.
We wish to notify all persons who think they have a right to circumvent the Constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, that we will not stand idly by while these freedoms are smothered by agencies or organizations using methods of harassment and surveillance. We will continue to sustain and defend our first amendment guarantees and the liberty of Mrs. Wright. We would be prepared to do so even if it meant our death, because we firmly believe that liberty is worth that price.
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[Letterhead of law offices of Garry, Dreyfus, McTernan, Brotsky, Herndon & Pesonen]
December 3, 1977
Senator John C. Stennis, Chairman
Senate Armed Services Committee
Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Stennis,
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act as amended (5 U.S.C. §552).
I write to request a copy of all files your committee has indexed or maintained under my name, the name of the church of which I am member and President, Peoples Temple Christian Church of the Disciples of Christ denomination, its Pastor, James W. Jones, or in any way referred to in , the incident cited below, and all documents returnable by a search for documents under any of these names.
Specifically, I refer to an incident in November, 1976, in which Thomas Dawsey of Biloxi, Mississippi, put our San Francisco church under surveillance on the occasion of a speech given by Mayor Unita Blackwell Wright of Mayersville, Mississippi. Information gained by Senator Phillip Burton indicates that Mr. Dawsey is a Civil Service employee who was acting at the time under direction of your committee.
Attached are photocopies of correspondence related to this incident confirming his involvement.
As you know, the amended Act provides that if some parts of a file are exempt from release, “reasonably segregable” portions shall be provided. I therefore request that if you determine some portions of .the requested information are exempt, you provide me immediately with a copy of the remainder of the file.
If you determine that some or all of the requested information is exempt from release, I would like to be advised, as is my right, as to which exemption(s) you believe covers the information which you are not releasing. If you determine that any of the information requested has been transmitted to another agency, committee or department, please indicate the date of transmittal, the repository of such information and the contents of it.
I am prepared to pay the costs specified in your regulations for locating the requested files and reproducing them. As you know, the amended Act permits you to reduce or waive the fees if it is “in the public interest because furnishing the information can be considered as primarily benefiting the public.” I believe this request plainly fits that category
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and ask that you waive any fees.
If you have any questions regarding this request, please contact me at the telephone number listed on the first page of this letter.
As provided for in the Amended Act, I will expect, to receive a reply within 10 working days
Sincerely,
/s/ Carol A. Stahl
Carol A. Stahl
[notary seal]