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The survivors warn that this isn't a story of the past, but cults are something we should all be cautious of.
People say that Jones started running the commune like a prison. He got paranoid that people would rebel against him. Still most people stayed. When people started peaking out against the conditions, a governor decided to come investigate with his film crew. When he left, he invited anyone who wished to, to leave with him. On the way to the airport, gunmen sent by Jones killed the governor and anyone with him. Meanwhile back in the commune, Jones had everyone line up to receive their poison laced kool-aide. Almost everyone was willing to drink it. Jones himself was found shot in the head with his wife and a nurse.
One survivor named Teri Buford O'Shea recalls that she was homeless, so when a man pulled up to her in a white van and told her about a community where he lived where everyone was equal, she decided to join
Jim Jones was born in Lynn, Indiana. Throughout the 1950's and 60's, Jones gained the reputation of a lively minister. After moving his headquarters to California, he became captivated with gaining power, after many accusations of starting a cult, he and hundreds of his followers moved to French Guiana to start a community. As the director of the cult, he confiscated everyone's passports, money, and freedom using blackmail and beatings. Survivors described drills that everyone was forced to participate in, including practicing a mass suicide
Jones got people to join his cult by promising a better life, with equality for people in all races and social classes. In the height of the civil rights movement, this was very appealing. Jones worked very hard to integrate churches and restaurants, he even adopted several African American children.