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GOVERNMENT INTRUSION
I. CUSTOMS AGENTS BREAK INTO PEOPLES TEMPLE SHIPPING CRATES IN MIAMI, FLORIDA
II. SOCIAL SECURITY (SSA) CHECKS ARE DELIBERATELY WITHHELD FROM LEGITIMATE RECIPIENTS IN GUYANA, SOUTH AMERICA
III. INTERPOL REPORTS SERVICES STATING FALSE ALLEGATIONS ABOUT THE TEMPLE AND REV. JONES. MANY OF THESE IDENTICAL IN CONTENT TO FALSE ALLEGATIONS THAT WERE CIRCULATED IN THE NEWS MEDIA.
IV. PEOPLES TEMPLE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN SAN FRANCISCO AND GUYANA ARE OBSTRUCTED AND FCC IS WRITTEN UNDER FOIA FOR EXPLANATION.
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GOVERNMENT INTRUSION
Despite the denial of the Treasury and related agencies of any investigation into the activities of Peoples Temple, several incidents have taken place that indicate the contrary is true. Each event has represent an invasion of our Constitutional rights as a religious organization.
September 29, 1977, we learned from our freight forwarder in Miami, Florida, that agents of the US Customs Service had held up our cargo shipment to the Agricultural and Medical Project in Guyana. Seven Customs agents pulled a crate at random and inspected its contents. Our attorney, Charles Garry, wrote a letter to the Customs Service (Department of the Treasury) demanding an explanation, or at least a statement of fair cause for this act of search and seizure. The response from the Treasury Department was simply that they were exempt from disclosure and then it was a routine procedure. Our freight forwarder, however, confirmed that these were “not our regular Customs agents I see around here… Some of them were from the West Coast.”
Shortly thereafter a mail package containing important documents and church-related business arrived in San Francisco from Guyana. The package had been opened, tampered with, and completely ruined. A substance the color and scent of wine had been poured or spilled over all the papers, which included important affidavits and legal papers that had to be done all over again. A letter requesting an explanation was sent to the Postmaster of San Francisco. The cause has never been determined.
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A major intrusion was the blatant interference by government bodies with the Social Security checks of hundreds of senior citizens, members of Peoples Temple who are residing in Guyana at the Temple Agricultural and Medical Cooperative. We received word from a confidential source that the message was being circulated in San Francisco Post Office branches that any SSA (Social Security) checks which have a forwarding order to Guyana should be returned to the Social Security Administration (Department of HEW). All members of our church who have taken up residence in Guyana and who are eligible to receive Social Security benefits, have filed SSA Forms #21 clearing their intention to live outside the territorial limits of the United States. By law, Social Security checks are to be sent to the recipient, no matter where (with the exception of a few socialist countries) the recipient chooses to live. US citizens in Guyana are entitled to SSA benefits.
We sent letters of inquiry to Congressman Philip Burton and letters of protest to the local postmaster. All responses we have received have denied or skirted the real issue. In the meantime, we received a copy of the actual memorandum which was circulated throughout local Post Offices branches or bring the return of all SSI (gold) and SSA (green Social Security checks) to HEW where the post office has a forwarding order for Guyana. The illegality of this order is clear. It was not until a letter directed to President Carter, accompanied by letters of protest to various government departments and street demonstrations by Temple members and supporters, was answered in the January 12, 1978 letter from the Department of HEW that the situation was rectified. No response from the government, however, has fully acknowledged that there was deliberate obstruction of the Social Security checks.
In July, 1978, two Temple members learn from a Post Office employee
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at the branch where church mail is handled that our organization had been under intensive investigation and all our mail process for a period of several months. Their affidavit is included in this section.
Another area of governmental intrusion came to light in October, 1977, when a report was received by Temple members very confidential memo emanating from INTERPOL agent Louis Sims in Washington, DC documented a meeting that had taken place between [an] INTERPOL agent who was unnamed, and 13 former members of Peoples Temple. It is interesting to note, too, that investigator Joseph Mazor may have connections to the INTERPOL organization. The stories which were circulated by INTERPOL about Peoples Temple and Rev. Jones were erroneous and on basis of erroneous information called for: “more observers and Immigration to watch for traffic, to investigate, and to establish more outposts to observe” particularly Temple shipping operations and travel.
Finally, in a chronicle of governmental harassments, Peoples Temple radio communications have been, on repeated occasions, jammed and obstructed. The letter from attorney Marshall Bentzman to Jeff Young, of the Federal Communications Commission, documents the kinds of harassments we have endured. We are currently of corresponding with the FCC under Freedom of Information Act to obtain letters on file from Senator Barry Goldwater pertaining to Peoples Temple radio communications. In conversations with the FCC, Mr. Bentzman learned that Senator Goldwater had made inquiries.
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[Letterhead of Peoples Temple, San Francisco]
November 21, 1977
Mr. Lim P. Lee, Postmaster
United States Postal Service
Main Post Office
San Francisco, Calif. 94101
Dear Mr. Lee,
As you are no doubt aware, our church maintains a large agricultural mission in Guyana, South America. Naturally a great deal of communication between headquarters and outpost must be held for this project move forward.
Not long ago an incident took place which, I believe, should he brought to your attention. A large packet of papers, representing hard to duplicate legal work and personal correspondence between loved ones on two continents, was sent to us from Guyana. When it arrived at our post office box at Station A, it had been cut open and the contents had not only been rifled, but were drenched with wine as well. Almost everything inside was beyond being saved or used at all. The ink was literally washed off most of the documents and a lot of the letters.
How any piece of mail could receive such treatment in the Postal Service, let alone one filled with such important documents, is impossible to explain as an accident – and demands explanation. The way this packet was cut open and the contents so thoroughly doused leaves no doubt that it was a deliberate act and that it happened here in San Francisco.
Rest assured that this infraction has not gone unnoticed. That so much critical legal work should have to be redone is an outrage in itself, not to mention the invasion of privacy we have suffered.
What is going on here, Mr. Lee? We want an explanation.
Very truly yours,
/s/ James Randolph
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U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE
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[Affidavit of James Randolph]
The undersigned, being first duly sworn, deposes and says:
My name is James R. Randolph. I am 37 years old and I live in the city of San Francisco.
I telephoned Mr. Frank Garmendia this morning, September 29, 1977, at a few minutes till 8:00 am. (I know the time because I was watching it to be sure to get the lower long distance rate. ) Mr. Garmendia is a freight forwarder for SOPAC Transport Corp, in Miami, Florida, the intermediary who receives and reroutes our ocean freight bound for Guyana, South America.
Some of the details are as follows:
Mr. Garmendia said, ”I didn’t want to bother you with it before, but now that it is over, I can tell you. Seven Customs men held up the cargo (referring to our last shipment which sailed, I believe. August 29, 1977. ) They pulled one case at random and checked the contents of it.” This occurred right about the time scheduled for the cargo io be loaded. I believe inspection took place on the dock rather than at the warehouse.
I asked if this was standard procedure and he replied that it is not. He went on to state that some of them were from the West Coast. When I asked if he said they were from the West Coast, he said, ”Well, from out of town. They were not the regular Customs men I see around here. They wore civilian clothes and had Customs Agents’ identification. “
By way of explanation he said someone may have given them the idea that there were arms or drugs in our shipment and once they have been given such a report they are obliged to check it out. He went on to explain that as Customs officials they have the authority to open and inspect any part of a shipment. . ,
He said they got a copy of the Bill of Lading (actually a packing list, much briefer than a Bill of Lading) and compared it against the contents of the crate they opened, but that they didn’t find what they were looking for. I am not clear as to whether they got it from him or from someone else in his office. He said they told him “upstairs” (referring to his superiors) “Don’t bother them. They’re Customs. ” He said they
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were done in a few hours and didn’t actually hold up shipment.
Mr. Garmendia also said big companies have big shipments in and out all the time and it would be possible for someone to put something in a shipment and get it out again at its destination without the company knowing about it, implying that could happen with our cargo and could thus have caused a report to be made to Customs.
When he mentioned the charge might have been made that we are shipping arms, I told him we would be the last people in the world to ship such things.
Dated this 29th day of September, 1977, at San Francisco, Calif.
/s/ James R. Randolph
James R. Randolph
[Notary seal]
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[Letterhead of Law Offices of Charles Garry]
October 3, 1977
United States Customs Service
District Office
555 Battery Street
San Francisco, CA.
Attention: District Director
Re.: Peoples Temple Shipment to Peoples Temple Agricultural Mission, Georgetown, Guyana
Dear District Director:
On August 29, 1977, my client had a large shipment to Georgetown, Guyana, South America. The shipment was a freight forwarded to SOPAC Transport Corporation in Miami, Florida.
On information directed to us stated that seven customs men held up the cargo and examined the contents of some of the shipments.
I have been asked by my clients to inquire upon what information was this cargo examined and what prompted it. We are very much interested in determining who and by whom we are being maligned. I am sure that your service would not take the time of seven men unless some form of prior information was forwarded to you. I think since the matter concerns my clients that we should be privy to that.
My clients wish to inform you and to the service generally and specifically that they do not in any way intend to, nor have they in the past ever violated any of the customs laws of the United States or for that matter of any country. Please let me hear from you regarding this matter that is disturbing to my clients.
Very truly yours,
/s/Charles R. Garry
Charles R. Garry
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[Departmental Treasury, US Customs Service]
Oct 20 1977
Charles R. Garry, Esq.
Law Offices of Garry, Dreyfus, McTernan, Brotsky, Herndon 8 Pesonen, Inc.
1256 Market Street
San Francisco, California 94102
Re: Peoples Temple
Dear Mr. Garry:
Your letter dated October 3, 1977, to the District Director of Customs requested information concerning a Customs examination at Miami of a shipment sent by the Peoples Temple to Guyana, South America.
As you may be aware, the Customs Service does administer export control regulations of the Department of Commerce as well as other regulations involving exports from the United States to foreign territories. Therefore, examinations of export shipments are conducted on a routine basis, whether or not any specific information has been received concerning a shipment.
In any event, any information which might have prompted an examination would be of the type which would be exempt from disclosure, including disclosure to your clients.
We appreciate your concern and hope that this letter clarifies for you and your clients the role of Customs in conducting export examinations.
Sincerely yours,
Robert H. Battard
Regional Commissioner
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U.S. DEPARTMENT H.E.W.
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[Routing Slip, US Postal Service]
Sept. 9, 1977
This is to advise you that the Department of H.E.W. (Social Security Administration) has instructed us to return all SSI (Gold checks), and Social Security cheeks (Green) to them where we have a forwarding order for Guyana.
Georgetown, Guyana.
South America
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[Affidavit of Tom Adams and Hattie Newell]
Tom Adams and Hattie Newell, being duly sworn, hereby depose and say: 1
On July 18, 1978 around 1:30 p.m. we went to the Station A branch of the U.S. post office, located at Steiner Street off Geary Blvd, in .San Francisco, California.
We talked with Mrs. Evelyn Cameron, a postal clerk at the station. When we identified ourselves as members of Peoples Temple, she told us “you guys (meaning Peoples Temple) were investigated by every agency that was,” naming the Department of Health, Education and Welfare; the California Department of Motor Vehicles; the Sonoma County Postal Inspector, and others. She explained that when she came to that branch in October 1977 to begin work, her supervisor mapped out “a whole special procedure” required in handling Peoples Temple mail. She told us that at that time she complained to the supervisor that this wasn’t right. She said she was from New York and she believes in privacy, and that people’s business is their own. She had wanted to transfer mail from certain post office boxes at the station which she knew were inactive and formerly rented by Peoples Temple members (P.O. Box 15384, in the name of Maria Katsaris and also used by Rev. Jim Jones and Mrs. Marceline Jones; and P.O. Box 15247, used by Mary Black), to an active Peoples Temple post office box, so that the Temple members would continue to receive their mail that had been directed to the formerly active boxes. Her supervisor, she said, prohibited her from doing so, telling her that it was against regulations, that regulations would not allow transferring mail from one post office box to another because the mail recipient might not want his or her name traced. Mrs. Cameron in this instance was speaking specifically of mail that came addressed to Rev. Jim Jones, Mrs. Marceline Jones, Peoples Temple Christian Church, Maria Katsaris (then church financial secretary), and a church member by the name of Mary Black. Mrs. Cameron told us that she complained to the supervisor about the procedure at the time because she did not like returning all the mail which was intended for the church and its pastor. She told us that it is the duty and trust of the U.S. government to keep people’s business off the streets.
She said that when she first came to work there in October, 1977, the California Department of Motor Vehicles had been investigating Peoples Temple, because it was said many different people were transferring their cars into Eugene B. Chaikin’s name.
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If a person handled a certain number of cars per month, it was her understanding, he would be required by law to have a dealership license. She also told us that the Department of Health, Education and Welfare had directed the employees at Station A not to send any H.E.W. checks which were to be forwarded to Guyana, South America, but to return them to the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.
Executed this [blank] day of July, 1978 at San Francisco, California.
/s/ Hattie Newell
/s/ Elton Adams
[Notary stamp]
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[Letterhead of Peoples Temple, San Francisco]
October 15, 1977
Congressman Phillip Burton
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
Dear Congressman Burton: .
As a member of Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ and of the governing board of the church, I am directing this correspondence to you as a result of a most disquieting rumor passed to me by a reliable source.
Several years ago our church established an agricultural mission in Guyana, South America. Since that time it has become the kind of residential community that senior citizens can enjoy as well as younger, more active participants. Over the past months, many members have elected to go there, including a number of seniors looking forward to a unique but comfortable retirement. To that end, those who received Social Security checks (green checks) submitted the required paperwork, as advised by the Social Security Administration, to have their income transferred to their new address. They submitted postal change-of-address cards to have their interim checks forwarded, as we were assured by postal employees they would be. As a matter of fact, postal change-of-address cards have been submitted a second time for all SSA recipients now overseas. For most of the recipients, this is the sole source of income available to them. Obviously, it is extremely important to them that their checks be re-routed properly.
Most have not received their checks since going over, although they should have received one, two, and in some cases even three checks by now. Rumor has it that the Post Office has determined not to forward these checks, but rather to return them to the Social Security Administration.
Social Security, as you must be aware, is income based on previous earning and is the undeniable right of these senior citizens to receive. Another fact which you may or may not be aware of: Social Security checks, when returned for want of a current address, go into “suspense” – a category used by SSA to designate problems. Instead of simple correcting the address, SSA sends the entire file of such an individual to the Division of Inter-
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national Operations in Baltimore, Maryland, when it discovers that the current address is now an overseas address. Unfortunately, that office is notoriously slow in processing even routine matters, resulting in payments being delayed as long as a year or more. All this can be avoided, of course, by re-routing checks to the overseas address to begin with.
Our attorney, Charles Garry, asked that a letter explaining the situation be sent to you, asking you to please inquire into this problem and let us know exactly what is obstructing these checks that are rightfully the property .of the respective senior citizens. At his request, also, I have sent a letter to Mr. Lim P. Lee, Postmaster of the San Francisco Post Office, with whom you should have a very direct line of communication. At your earliest convenience, please inform us as to the nature of corrective action that will be undertaken.
Very truly yours,
/s/ June B. Crym
June B. Crym
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[Letterhead of Rep. Phillip Burton]
October 25, 1977
Ms. June B. Crym<
c/o PEOPLES TEMPLE
1859 Geary St.
San Francisco, Ca.
Dear Ms. Crym:
I am in receipt of your recent letter regarding the nondelivery of Social Security checks to members of Peoples Temple in Guyana, South America.
In order to be of assistance to you in this matter I have contacted the Postal Service and the Social Security Administration.
I will be in immediate contact with you upon hearing from these agencies.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
/s/ Phillip Burton
Phillip Burton
Member of Congress
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[Letterhead of United States Post Office, San Francisco
November 16, 1977
Subject: Postal Service
to: Ms. June B. Crym
c/o Peoples Temple
P.0. Box 15023
San Francisco, CA 94115
Dear Ms. Crym:
This will acknowledge your October letter concerning social security, checks for individuals now residing in Guyana, South America.
As has been previously explained to you the Postal Service forwards all first class letter mail received if an addressee submits an official change order and the sender makes no stipulation regarding forwarding. This applies whether the addressee has moved within the Continental United States or outside the limits of the United States. However, we have been advised by the Social Security Office that the social security (green) checks may be forwarded outside the United States only if a notice from the beneficiary regarding his or her intent to live elsewhere, for internal administrative purposes, is furnished that office. Should you require additional information in this regard I suggest that Mr. J. Leland Embrey, District Manager of the Social Security Office be contacted. His telephone number is 556-6471.
I appreciate the opportunity to clarify this matter.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Lim P. Lee
Lim P. Lee
Sectional Center Manager-Postmaster
San Francisco, CA 94101
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[Letterhead of Rep. Phillip Burton]
MEMORANDUM
I thought you might be interested in the enclosed.
Sincerely,
/s/ Phillip Burton
Phillip Burton
Member of Congress
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[Letterhead of the Office of the Postmaster General]
November 16, 1977
Honorable Phillip Burton
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C. 20515
Dear Congressman Burton:
This is in response to your recent inquiry on behalf of Ms. June B. Crym of Baltimore, concerning the forwarding of Social Security checks for residents of an Agricultural Mission in Guyana, South America.
Local postmasters are only required to maintain customer change of address orders for a period of one year. Past experience has shown that problems in administration and paperwork management become critical when Such records are maintained for periods in excess of one year. In addition, one year is generally a sufficient period of time for our customers to notify their correspondents of address changes.
In view of that fact that Ms. Crym did not furnish the names of the recipients involved, it is impossible for this office to be of assistance in this matter. However, we have asked the Postmaster at Baltimore to investigate this matter and to contact Ms. Crym.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Glenn A. Metzdorf
Glenn A. Metzdorf
General Manager – Administration
Government Relations Department
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[Letterhead of the Office of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare]
Jan 12, 1978
Ms. Laurie Efrein
Administrative Assistant
Peoples Temple
P.O. Box 15023
San Francisco, California 94115
Dear Ms. Efrein:
Thank you for your letter to President Carter.
You are correct in stating that entitlement to social security benefits is an earned right and that U.S. citizens are entitled to receive their benefits anywhere in the world except Estonia, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Uruguay, USSR, and Zambia.
It is also correct that in late 1977 social security benefits were interrupted for persons moving to Guyana. This was due to misintepretation of postal regulations and has subsequently been corrected.
There are presently 112 social security beneficiaries in Guyana receiving total social security benefits of $21,946 monthly.
The Postal Service memo which you refer to did state that neither social security checks nor Federal supplemental security income (SSI) payments were to be forwarded to Guyana. Tnis memo was issued due to misinterpretation of the Social Security Act by postal officials. The memo has been rescinded and replaced by a memo which allows social security benefits to be forwarded to Guyana and only prohibits the forwarding of SSI payments.
While social security benefits are an earned right for which persons have worked, SSI payments are not. Federal SSI payments are public assistance payments and Section 1611(f) of the Social Security Act prohibits the sending of there
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payments to any person who is not physically residing in the continental U.S., Alaska, or Hawaii. Residents of foreign countries including U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands, are not entitled to SSI payments.
Any persons who reside in Guyana and fail to receive social security benefit checks are to contact the U.S. consulate in “Georgetown for assistance in having the checks resumed.
Persons residing in Guyana who were entitled to Federal SSI payments before leaving the U.S. may contact their local social security office and re-establish entitlement to their payments after they have been back in the U.S. for at least 30 consecutive days.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Thomas C. Parrott
Thomas C. Parrott
Associate Commissioner for External Affairs
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[Letterhead of Consumer Advocate, USPS]
December 27, 1977
Dear Ms. Efrein:
This is in response to Postmaster General Benjamin F. Bailar’s copy of your letter dated December 16, 1977 to the President.
As you may know, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare has recently clarified the procedures for forwarding checks to addressees in Guyana. The post office has been instructed to forward green checks to addressees who have a valid change of address order on file; however, gold checks may not be forwarded. For further information, we suggest you contact Mr. J. Leland Embry, District Manager, Social Security Administration, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, 303 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102.
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Sincerely,
/s/ John J. Dials
John J. Dials
Consumer Affairs Manager
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[Letterhead of the Office of the Social Security Administration, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare]
January 3, 1973
Ms. Laurie Efrein
P.O. Box 15023
San Francisco, California 94115
Dear Ms. Efrein:
Thank you for your letter to President Carter.
We are giving your letter attention and will be in touch with you again as soon as possible.
/s/ Don I. Wortman
Don I. Wortman
Acting Commissioner of Social Security
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[Letterhead of the Office of the Social Security Administration, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare]
Jan 5 1978
Mr. Joseph E. Hall
President
San Francisco Branch NAACP
2035 Sutter Street, Suite 211
San Francisco, California 94115
Dear Mr. Hall:
Secretary Califano has asked me to thank you for your inquiry and to reply to it since it concerns the social security program.
I am asking the appropriate officials in our Division of International Operations to look into the situation you described in your letter and to respond directly to you. You should hear from that office soon.
/s/ Don I. Wortman
Don I. Wortman
Acting Commissioner of Social Security
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[Letterhead of the Office of the Social Security Administration, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare]
[illegible date]
Mr. Joseph E. Hall
President
San Francisco Branch NAACP
2085 Sutter Street, Suite 211
San Francisco, California 94115
Dear Mr. Hall:
This is in reply to your letter to Secretary Califano regarding the problem certain members of the Peoples Temple Christian Church are encountering in receiving their checks when they move to Guyana, South America.
We are pleased to confirm that all beneficiaries living in Guyana, including those who are mergers of the above Church, are receiving their checks regularly. It is to be noted, however, that individuals who may have been receiving supplemental security income while in the United States would have those benefits automatically terminated when they move outside the country. Supplemental benefits are only paid to persons living inside the United States.
We suggest, should any beneficiary in Guyana have any problem pertaining to their benefits, that they contact the American Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana. The people there will be glad to assist in any way they can.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Ted D. Girdner
Ted D. Girdner
Director, Division of International Operations
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[Letterhead of the Office of the Social Security Administration, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare]
January 17, 1978
Mr. Harvey Milk
Supervisor District 5
City Hall
San Francisco, California 94102
Dear Mr. Milk:
Secretary Califano has asked us to reply to your letter regarding the problem certain members of the Peoples Temple Christian Church are encountering in receiving their social security checks when they move to Guyana, South America.
We are pleased to confirm that all beneficiaries living in Guyana, including those who are members of the above Church, are receiving their checks regularly. It is to be noted, however, that individuals .who may have been receiving supplemental security income while in the United States would have those benefits automatically terminated when they move outside the country. Supplemental benefits are only paid to persons living inside the United States.
We suggest, should any beneficiary in Guyana have any problem pertaining to their benefits, that they contact the American Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Thomas C. Parrott
Thomas C. Parrott
Associate Commissioner for External Affairs
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[Letterhead of the Office of the Social Security Administration, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare]
Jan 25 1979
Reverend William D. Persell
St. John’s Episcopal Church
514 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90007
Dear Reverend Persell:
This is in reply to your inquiry dated December 27, 1977, concerning the Peoples Temple Agricultural Mission in Guyana. Secretary Califano referred your letter to this office because we are responsible for administration of the social security program for beneficiaries outside the United States.
There are no restrictions on the payment of social security benefits to otherwise qualified residents of Guyana. As of December 3, 1977, there were 117 beneficiaries in Guyana receiving social security checks in the total amount of $22,588.20 a month.
If any beneficiary in Guyana fails to receive his or her social security check, prompt inquiry should be made at the American Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana. The Embassy will determine whether a social security check was mailed to the individual. If the check was lost or stolen in the mail, a signed statement of nonreceipt will be forwarded to the Treasury Department and will result in the issuance of a replacement check. If no check was issued to the individual; the Embassy will request an investigation hy the Social Security Administration. It is always necessary to have the beneficiary’s social security claim number to trace such matters.
We share your concern for the difficulties any beneficiaries may have in meeting basic human needs without timely social security payments.
Sincerely,
/s/ Pasquale F. Caliguiri
Pasquale F. Caliguiri
Director
Bureau of Retirement and Survivors Insurance
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INTERPOL
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[Three-page excerpt from directory of private investigators includes display ad for Mazor Investigations on g-32]
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[Newspaper article: “Peoples Temple Investigates the Investigators,” Sun Reporter, January 1978]
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[Text of Peoples Temple Flyer. This flyer also appears here.]
INTERPOL
Special Agent Attacks
Jim Jones &
Peoples Temple
WE HAVE DOCUMENTED PROOF THAT “PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR” JOSEPH MAZOR IS A SPECIAL AGENT FOR INTERPOL – THE NAZI-INFESTED INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL POLICE ORGANIZATION BEGUN IN HITLER’S GERMANY!
This is the man who, according to the Berkeley Barb, admitted that he has been employed since November of 1976 to “investigate” Peoples Temple, yet refuses to say who pays him. We know that he is working closely with Elmer and Deanna Mertle, former members of the Temple and sources for the vicious media attacks. We know also that he has contacted the Guyanese embassy in the United States and has played on personal loyalties, family ties, and child custody matters to the point of obviously trying to wear the Temple unity down. By his own admission to Barb columnist Art Silverman, Mazor hired one of the largest public relations firms in San Francisco – Russom, Lowry and Leeper – to “show him how to handle the media” on the Peoples Temple “project”. Sources close to the Barb said that Mazor had approached Lowry, Russom and Leeper saying “he waned to become San Francisco’s next Hal Lipset”, (a famous investigator), and that the Temple controversy “presented an excellent opportunity to garner publicity.”
NOW WE HAVE LEARNED OF THIS MAN’S INTERPOL CONNECTION, AND WE HAVE LEARNED FROM A HIGH GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL THAT INTERPOL IS CIRCULATING THE SAME VICIOUS LIES TOLD IN THE MEDIA ABOUT THE TEMPLE AND ITS LEADER, PLUS MORE. INTERPOL IS CIRCULATING THE FALSE REPORT THAT JIM JONES PARTICIPATED IN A RIOT IN GUYANA AND IN THROWING TEAR GAS AT A TIME WHEN HE WAS NOT EVEN THERE. This too can be proven. It is an obvious attempt to discredit Jim Jones and his progressive organization in the country where we have established our immensely successful agricultural mission.
WHO IS THIS MAN, JOSEPH MAZOR? He is a man with a lengthy criminal record. He has served time in jails in three states on a variety of charges (bogus checks, fraud) and has violated probation and parole on three occasions by committing more crimes. The California Adult Authority report (1970), evaluates Mazor as a “smooth con man with an insatiable desire to get ahead. He is cunning, well-educated, and so well-versed in the law that he had five attorneys in Pomona area convinced that he had a law degree. It is felt that the subject is a menace to the community.” This is the profile of the man who is parading himself as a respectable private investigator. THE FACT THAT HE IS ALSO AN AGENT FOR INTERPOL RAISES SERIOUS QUESTIONS
Joseph Mazor is now under intense investigation. His Interpol connections are only the beginning. We will not stop until we have exposed every detail of his inhumane attempt to destroy a great humanitarian leader.
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What is
INTERPOL?
INTERPOL is a private international police organization made up of national police representatives from over 100 member nations Supposedly organized to apprehend criminals, control drug traffic, etc., Interpol’s U.S. branch is funded, staffed, and housed in the U.S. Treasury Department, across the street from the White House. It has a direct hook-up to the computerized National Crime Information Center (NCIC), run by the FBI, and direct contact with state and local police. All Interpol nations have access to US files and records denied to U.S. citizens. Any police state, or private group in any member nation, via their police, can obtain information on U.S. citizens, businesses, tourists, immigrants, suspects, etc., without regard to validity, relevance, truth, or source. Yet, for U.S. citizens, Interpol files are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act! The NCIC computerized files at the disposal of Interpol are massive. A foreign agency, operating through Interpol, could even plant information in U.S. government files.
INTERPOL is basically a Nazi organization. Its vice-president in the I930’s and 40’s was Nazi General Kurt Daluege, executed later for war crimes. During Hitler’s power period, Interpol was headquartered in Berlin. Its 1939 conference was held under the patronage of the Reichsfuehrer, the SS, and the Nazi chief of Police, Heinrich Himmler. In 1968, Paul Dickopf, a former henchman in Hitler’s Security Police, was elected president. During his reign, the organization became affluent, due to large contributions by three member nations during his tenure: Venezuela, Brazil, and Switzerland, where, coincidentally, the Nazi SS (Odessa) brotherhood is still very much alive.
[Information on Interpol compiled from The Peoples Almanac, by David Wallechinsky and Irving Wallace, Doubleday & Co., Garden City, 1975. Article by Vaughan Young.]
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x-4-g-35a – 35b
[These two pages reproduce a Peoples Temple flyer entitled “Victims of Conspiracy,” the text of which also appears here.]
Victims of Conspiracy
“This an organized, orchestrated, premeditated government campaign to destroy a politically progressive church….”
– Charles Garry
YOU CAN
NEVER BELIEVE IT –
UNTIL IT HAPPENS
TO YOU!
Peoples Temple and Rev. Jim Jones have been maligned by some of the news media and have been the brunt of vicious lies for months. The outlandish lies have been carried repeatedly on the front pages of some newspapers, while articles that vindicate us seldom appear anywhere but on the back pages near the obituary column.
We are responsible for saving many lives from drug addiction, crime, and anti-social behavior. Even from terrorism. And taxpayers have been saved perhaps a million dollars a year by the kinds of work we have done with youth headed into delinquency. And yet we are harassed. Obviously, anyone can see the lies perpetrated against us are nothing but a smear.
It is hard to know whom to trust among reporters. Some very responsible and successful reporters know and believe in our good works, but their hands are tied for some reason. We don’t even want to ask some reporters who would print the truth about Peoples Temple to come under the kind of harassment it would cause them…the kind of harassment we have been under and endured. In many cases we have remained silent rather than bring the heat of this controversy against us down on some conscientious news reporters.
We are not sure anybody is listening or that many care. We would not be surprised if we were short lived. But this is the way DEMOCRACY DIES, AND WE OWE IT TO ‘THOSE COMING AFTER US TO TELL WHAT CAN HAPPEN TO THEM – whether anybody cares what happens to us or not.
Inside are the facts about a conspiracy against good people. Maybe you can never believe it – UNTIL IT HAPPENS TO YOU!
When Hitler came for the Communists, I didn’t speak up, for I wasn’t a Communist.
When he arrested the Jews, I didn’t protest because I wasn’t a Jew.
When the Nazis arrested the trade unionists, I didn’t protest, for I was not in a trade union.
Then they came after the Catholics, but I didn’t speak out because I was not Catholic.
When they came for me it was TOO LATE…There was no one left to stand up for me.
– Rev. Martin Niemoeller
TEMPLE GOOD WORKS VICIOUSLY
ATTACKED WHILE EX-NAZI
BUTCHER GOES FREE
Have you heard of the ex-Nazi who ordered the execution of 6,000-10,000 Romanian Jews during Hitler’s fascist reich who is living in the United States – now the Bishop of an entire orthodox denomination in this country?
Probably not. News of this butcher is scarce, even though he had the bodies of tens of thousands of Jews stamped “Kosher meat” and hung from meat hooks in a slaughterhouse – even though he has been indicted for lying to the U.S. Immigration Service in order to obtain his U.S. citzenship [citizenship] – there is hardly one word said about him. He moves about freely.
Yet more and more “news” – outrageously biased articles and outright lies – have been printed about Jim Jones day after day.
Why? We think we have an idea. Among the sources used in most of the vicious stories against the Temple is an admitted Nazi. The Temple, in its community newspaper, the Peoples Forum, has openly printed the truth about this ex-Nazi butcher who poses as a “man of God”. We have consistently run articles exposing the activities of neo-Nazi groups in the U.S. and right here in San Francisco. We were warned months ago not to touch that subject or those people. Yet we have felt strongly that somebody had to print the truth about these NAZIS who are thriving in our midst.
It is very strange that some of the people used as sources for the disparaging articles were outright advocates of terrorism …. And that some of the harassment and threats we have been subjected to we have traced to NAZIS …. And that the tactic of using the media to lay down a relentless Barrage of bad publicity to destroy someone was perfected in NAZI Germany by Hitler’s propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels…
BLACKMAIL ATTEMPT: Dennis Banks Is Offered a Deal for His Freedom.
The following are excerpt, from the personal testimony of DENNIS BANKS, American Indian Movement leader:
“He (David Conn) said that my association with Peoples Temple could reflect very badly on my extradition. He then asked me to make a public denunciation of Jim Jones. He assured me that if I made such a denunciation, the rulings in my extradition would go in my favor.
“Conn was obviously trying to make a deal with me, and I was being blackmailed. Conn let me know that besides working with Treasury agents and other government agents, that he was already working with ex-members of the Peoples Temple, such as Grace Stoen ….
“Conn pressed hard for me to meet with a U.S. Treasury Department agent alone that very night. These agents all knew I had a lot hanging over me. Besides the extradition (which to me is certainly a life and death matter), I also had a case in Federal Court in which the Treasury Department was involved.
“It was not just a matter of Conn indicating that it would go well with me if I cooperated, but the implication was that if I didn‘t cooperate, it would go badly for me.
“Conn also said that he in no way wanted this information revealed for fear that it would ‘blow their cover’ and ruin any possible meeting between me and the Treasury agents.”
signed, DENNIS BANKS
[graphic of various news clippings]
VIOLENCE, DEATH THREATS, AND ARSON
PERPETRATED AGAINST JIM JONES AND
TEMPLE MEMBERS FOR YEARS!!
Peoples Temple is no stranger to persecution. As a progressive group and outspoken against social and racial injustice, we have always known what it is to live in the shadow of threats of violence and death.
The Temple in San Francisco has been burned to the ground twice.
We have discovered bombs under our buses – the bomb squad of the SFPD had to dismantle a bomb FOUND UNDER THE VERY BUS REV. & MRS. JONES WERE RESTING ON AT THE TIME!
Our senior members and families have endured hate calls and racial slurs during the day and on the phone at night for years.
Jim Jones has endured many death threats and assassination attempts. His immediate family has, also. Even in Guyana, paid assassins have taken shots at him.
Our children have been harassed in their schools. Our pets have been tortured and left mutilated on our doorsteps.
In an atmosphere of hate whipped up by the press, a man called the Temple numerous times saying he would shoot everyone who stepped out of the building. We had to call for police protection.
U.S. CUSTOMS SEIZING TEMPLE CARGO
In August, 1977, seven agents of the U.S. CUSTOMS (DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY) broke into crates of supplies being shipped by the Temple to our agricultural mission in Guyana, South America.
The Customs agents refused to give any explanation or probable cause for this sudden search and interruption of our shipment.
When Attorney CHARLES GARRY demanded an explanation of the U.S. Customs Department, they replied they were “Exempt from disclosure” and refused to provide any answer.
TAMPERING WITH U.S. MAIL
A mail package containing important documents and church-related business documents arrived at the San Francisco Temple Headquarters from Guyana completely destroyed. The package had been opened, tampered with and its contents completely ruined. A substance the color and scent of wine had been poured all over the papers. Legal documents and affidavits were lost.
Letters requesting an explanation from the Post Office have been unanswered.
SURVEILLANCE
When MRS. UNITA BLACKWELL WRIGHT (black woman Mayor of Meyersville [Mayersville], Mississippi and fellow traveller with Shirley MacLaine to Peoples Republic of China), came to speak at Peoples Temple, two men were caught spying on the meeting.
They were found standing in the narrow corridor beside the Temple with large briefcases, and they fled when they were approached by a curious Temple member.
Their license plate traced them to Biloxi, Mississippi, and then to Keesler [Kessler] Air Force Base, where they were confirmed to be high-ranking government employees and electronics experts.
Letters from Congressmen got only vague answers from the Department of the Air Force: “The alleged activities are not within the Air Force’s investigative jurisdiction. We understand your concern and regret we cannot be of more assistance.”
FREEDOM of RELIGION VIOLATED
The Social Security checks of hundreds of senior citizens, members of Peoples Temple residing at the Temple’s Guyana mission, are being deliberately withheld.
Guyana is a country where one may legally receive one’s Social Security benefits. The Social Security Administration is supposed to automatically transfer the checks on request of the recipient.
Each and every one of the seniors who are Social Security recipients filed for automatic transfer of their checks to Guyana.
But tens of thousands of dollars worth of these checks have been withheld.
We have located a memo which was circulated by the local Post Office demanding the “return of all SSI (gold checks) and Social Security (green) to the Department of H.E.W. (Health, Education and Welfare) when there is a forwarding order for Georgetown, Guyana, South America”.
Congressmen and attorneys have written on our behalf and have so far been ignored by H.E.W. It appears to be a flagrant more to deny subsistence funds to the elderly, blind, and disabled, and to cut off their economic lifeline. The Temple also questions if this does not constitute a violation of its First Amendment rights of religious freedom, maintaining that surely religious preference should in no way pre-empt U.S. citizens from receiving benefits they labored for, and which is their legal due.
THE LATEST SMEAR
Following the death by murder (which even the papers called mysterious), of Chris Lewis, another vicious comment appeared in the news. It was inferred that Chris was a hired bodyguard for Jim Jones. That is an outrageous lie! The Temple has never hired anyone, and Chris never worked for us in this or any other capacity.
He did make contributions to the Temple by helping young people come off drugs. It was Jim Jones and the Temple that helped him with a trial that he went through some years ago and had gotten Chris off drugs. His efforts on behalf of young people with drug problems are documented and proven by the large number of youth living happy, useful lives today who came through the Temple rehabilitation program.
Chris’ family were members of the Temple. His mother lived and died in our church and was a very good woman. We help the families and loved ones of members; that is our standard practice. Though Chris himself did not follow our advice, he did help get many troubled youth off drugs – and we know that for a fact.
If the authors of the news article on Chris Lewis concluded that he was a part of us, then a lot of questions should be raised. Because the night of his death a threatening phone call came to the Temple saying, “’There will be more. Tonight was the first.”
And it was undoubtedly these lies that he was a Temple “bodyguard” that got him shot. We don’t believe this was a gangland murder. We believe the conspirators are responsible – there are those who would sacrifice anyone if it served their purpose. We had to talk to some of his friends outside the church to keep them from taking revenge. This murder we will not forget.
A CAMPAIGN TO DISCREDIT JIM JONES?
There is only one reason why some people would attempt to paint such a bizarre image of Jim Jones as has been done over the past months. He cares about ALL people. And he can do something about the plight of the poor and oppressed. Reactionary forces are trying to destroy his image because he is the most persistent tighter for social justice. Next time you see this terribly bizarre, distorted attention – think.
For months the distortions and lies have been hashed and rehashed— but never a word is printed or spoken about the lives salvaged and millions of your tax dollars saved through Temple rehabilitation programs.
Perhaps some agencies felt they had to discredit Jim Jones and Peoples Temple in order to protect the system. But when Peoples Temple endeavours only to relieve society of its many burdens, it is ridiculous that they resort to such cruel and inhumane tactics. No one else seems to be willing to help. The fact that Jim Jones was appointed to the San Francisco Housing Commission and elected head commissioner speaks for itself. Good citizens would not have placed him in that position if he had been the type of person the media has tried to smear in the public mind. He has never done anything fraudulent.
YOU SHOULD HELP, BECAUSE NEXT TIME IT MAY BE YOU!
What follows are quotes from religious, political and community leaders who have seen through the lies being spread about Jim Jones and have spoken out on behalf of this great leader for social and racial justice. The names of these prominent officials are not used here, because we do not want them to get the kind of harassment we have suffered.
“You are the epitome of caring for humans, sharing and providing basic needs for each other, helping the sick and afflicted and educating the youth. Everyone’s struggle is your struggle; your fight for human dignity is beyond compare.”
“Peoples Temple is targeted for destruction because it represents a determined effort to deal with the most fundamental problem of our society – oppression of the poor.”
“One gets the impression (at Peoples Temple) of being in the midst of the human race at its best; a community of people whose primary concern is to love and to serve …. Peoples Temple is led by a man of deep integrity and sensitivity.”
UPDATE: THE LATEST FROM JONESTOWN…
Charles Garry lived with us several days and nights at the Temple project in Guyana. He is a man known to speak the truth all the time – and he called Jonestown “PARADISE”.
An article dated December 11, 1977, in the Guyana Chronicle, the country’s leading newspaper, calls the Temple agricultural project “a first-class example of community life.” Written by a Dental Surgeon [Dr. Ng-a-Fook] who stayed several days at the project, the article further states: “l have never before seen so many people of varying races working happily together, side by side, without a single spark of friction. With its own school, sawmill, electricity, roads, houses, and so on, all being scrupulously clean, I could not help but be impressed.”
What was just a “jungle outpost” a very few years ago is now a center of productive activity. A Guyanese official who visited recently wrote in the guest book: “This is a model community that should be emulated all over the world.” We have yet to get the first criticism from any government leader or any delegation, and we have visitors from the U.S., Europe, and many South American countries all the time. Our project has been praised by government leaders throughout the world. Recent visitors have included a delegation from the Ministry of Education and the Minister of Interior Development. The Ministry of Education delegates were thrilled with our nursery and educational programs, which include instruction in several foreign languages, corrective work for many types of learning disabilities, and mathematical and scientific training.
The medical department is considered by many to be the most unique of its kind for this type of community. The staff includes a medical doctor, a pharmacist, a dietician, a pediatric specialist, several nurse practitioners, and a number of RNs and LVNs plus many medical assistants, full time health care workers, and trainees. There is a physical therapy department, under the supervision of a licensed therapist. We conduct regular cancer clinics, both in Jonestown and in nearby communities. We have also been able to treat children from the surrounding area who have not been so fortunate as to receive skilled care previously.
Medical equipment includes two EKG machines, a centrifuge, electronic microscope, and an autoclave. We will soon be getting an X-ray machine, to be operated by a licensed technician with 20 years of experience. All lab work such as urinalysis and blood testing, is done by our lab technician.
This is an environment where everything grows and thrives. We have just cleared another 200 acres of lush jungle land for planting – a continuing process as our agricultural programs expand. We have food stored months ahead of time, to prepare for self-sufficiency of the project. Frequently, too, we take large amounts of food into nearby communities to distribute. To meet protein requirements, we are acquiring milk cows. Already we have two bulls for propagation of a herd. The pigs are thriving, and a flock of thousands of chickens has just graduated 2000 chicks from modern incubators to add to its population. We are raising a number of rabbits for food.
A whole host of craft and cottage industries have taken hold as the individual talents of residents flower for the collective good. Toys, furniture, and handicrafts are among the items made. The community is very colorful, a true modern village, as homes are being landscaped with fruit trees, gardens and decorative fencing.
The excellent health of residents here and the astounding growth of the project are glowing reflections of the spirit of socialist cooperation. Every person is motivated to function at their very best, as they see their talents being used directly to help others. Almost needless to say, everyone feels very secure and well cared for in an environment like this. The experience of Jonestown, and the inspiration of its founder-leader Jim Jones, is building happy and healthy lives. We are more proud than we can say of what we have been able to accomplish in such a short time in this beautiful jungle interior.
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x-4-g-36
F.C.C.
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x-4-g-37
[Letterhead of law offices of Marshall R. Bentzman, San Francisco]
June 29, 1978
Mr. Jeff Young, Investigation Branch
Federal Communications Commission
1919 “M” Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
Re: Peoples Temple
Dear Mr. Young:
This confirms our telephone conversations of June 26 and June 28, 1978, in which I informed you that as of Saturday, June 24, transmissions emanating from WB6 MID/8R3 in Jonestown, Guyana, have been obstructed. You informed me at that time that both stations in Guyana, 1) WB6 MID/8R3, Jonestown, and 2) WB6 MNH/8R1, Georgetown are in fact legitimate operating stations in good standing and since they are not within the borders of’ the United States, they are not within the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission (F.C.C.).
Since our conversations of June 26, I have received further clarification of the nature of the interference. Each time amateur radio station WB6 MID/8R3 has tried to utilize services of the Maritime Mobile Net (14,313 Kilohertz) for phone-patch traffic, the operator has been denied service. He has been informed each time by a man who called himself a “Net Coordinator” that the Net could not and would not help him because they had been informed by the F.C.C. that WB6 MID/8R3 was operating illegally. They were further informed that a letter would be forthcoming from the F.C.C. verifying this.
You further informed me that no such interference was authorized by the F.C.C. and that the interference was not caused by the F.C.C.
My clients (Peoples Temple), operators of these Guyanese stations, are participants in a church Agricultural and Medical mission. They have used the Maritime Mobile Net over the past several years in locating and contacting medical doctors to assist them in medical emergencies. There are no telephones available into this remote South American jungle region. The health and safety of well over 1,000 mission residents and the success of their medical outreach program to the entire northwest region of Guyana are seriously jeopardized by being deprived of this vital amateur radio service. It is the only means of communication for emergency, life and death medical traffic.
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x-4-g-38
We would appreciate your informing the members of the Maritime Mobile Net that stations WB6 MID/8R3 and WB6 MNH/8R1 are in fact legally operating stations and also convey this to the Net Coordinators who are selecting out and blocking their phone-patch requests so they will understand that they have been misinformed about the status of the two stations.
Please be informed that Peoples Temple is hereby registering a complaint with the F.C.C. for these interferences with their transmissions.
Yours truly,
/s/ Marshall R. Bentzman
Marshall R. Bentzman
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x-4-g-39
[Letterhead of Law Offices of Charles R. Garry, San Francisco]
May 4, 1978
Police Chief Charles Gaines [Gain]
San Francisco Police Department
Hall of Justice
850 Bryant Street
San Francisco, CA,
Re.: People’s Temple
Dear Chief Gaines:
Last night, People’s Temple at 1859 Geary held a free concert for its members and invited the public. That concert ran from approximately 7:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
An attorney associated with this office and in attendance last night observed the following events along with several members of the People’s Temple:
1) About 9:30 P.M. members of the People’s Temple reported that a uniformed police officer in an unmarked car was parked in the parking lot next to the People’s Temple at the corner of Steiners and Geary, That car was a blue two-door Honda, California license No. 998-RNB.
2) The attorney from this office along with both members of the People’s Temple approached the officer and asked why he was spying and eavesdropping on the People’s Temple. The officer denied any such actions and would not explain his presence. The officer’s badge number is No. 2583.
3) One of the members of the People’s Temple then took four photos of the officer.
4) The officer then left his car and approached the three men and stated he was on a stake-out for a 211. That there had been robberies of several “Fish and Chip” restaurants that night, and that this was the last one in the city, and that he was waiting for the robber.
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x-4-g-40
Police Chief Charles Gaines
Page Two
May 4, 1978
5) It was also reported that another man who talked to this officer was seen next to the People’s Temple outer wall and appeared to be eavesdropping with some sort of equipment.
This whole matter appears to be another example of Government harassment of the People’s Temple.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Charles R. Garry
Charles R. Garry