9. A California Congressman’s Visit To Jonestown Pushed Play On The Massacre
Not too long before the massacre, several Peoples Temple members reached out to California. They feared for their safety and complained about abuse from Jones. Congressman Leo Ryan went out to Jonestown to meet with the members. After reaching the members, Ryan decided to take the ones with him who wanted to leave the cult.
As Ryan and others started to leave, gunmen from the People’s Temple opened fire. Ryan’s staffer escaped from the attack. Ryan, three journalists, and other people did not make it out alive. After this incident, Jones knew he had to follow through with his plan.
