The memory of those who perished in the Jonestown tragedy thirty-one years ago is being honoured with the erection of a plaque at the site displaying the simple inscription: ‘In memory of the victims of the Jonestown Tragedy, November 18, 1978, Jonestown, Guyana’.
The Government Information Agency (GINA) reported yesterday that Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad who unveiled the plaque with the assistance of Charge d’ Affaires of the United States Embassy, Karen Williams, described the tragedy as cruelty to the highest extent and urged that people remember this event so that it will not be repeated.
Jonestown was the informal name given to the People’s Temple Agricultural Project which was set up in the northwest of Guyana formed by an American cult led by Jim Jones.
It became internationally notorious when on November 18, 1978, 914 people died in the settlement as well as in a nearby airstrip. The Temple members died from cyanide poisoning in an event termed revolutionary suicide. The poisoning in Jonestown followed the murder of five others by Temple members at the Port Kaituma airstrip.
The minister said that during a previous visit to the Port Kaituma area, residents had requested assistance in clearing the area since many visitors go there to pay respects.
Meanwhile, Williams expressed appreciation for the erection of the monument and stated that it is important to remember and honour the people who tragically perished, including Congressman Leo Ryan whose only interest was in protecting US citizens and who was gunned down at the Port Kaituma airstrip.
She noted that there is always the debate as to whether events in the past should be remembered but she noted that it is important to remember such things to ensure that there isn’t a recurrence.
The community and country, she said, were victims since Guyana will forever be linked to this tragic event. However, she expressed the hope that with the memorial and such events the wounds of both nations will heal.
- Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad and Charge d Affaires of the Embassy of the United States of America Karen Williams unveiling the plaque at Jonestown. (GINA photo)
Wilfred Jupiter who had worked on clearing the land after it was leased by Reverend Jim Jones pointed out that he worked with many others on erecting buildings to house the members of the ‘People’s Temple’, many of whom lived in the Port Kaituma community prior to settling in the commune.
While touring the site, Minister Prashad and team were shown a basketball court where the basketball hoop was discovered and the minister noted that something new is discovered every time there is a visit.
Jonestown is 25 minutes drive from the Port Kaituma airstrip.
While in Port Kaituma, Minister Prashad declared open the Beacon International Guesthouse, which was recently extended to accommodate an additional 13 rooms, since in the past it only housed eight self-contained rooms.
The facility was constructed at a cost of $15M by proprietor Dane Peters who stated that the next phase of development would be the construction of a swimming pool.
Meanwhile, the tourism minister urged residents to ensure that they do their part in conserving and preserving the turtle population since Shell Beach in the region is home to many species of turtles, including the giant leatherback, GINA concluded.