Peoples Cooperative

Peoples Cooperative and Disciples of Jones
Flag
Motto: The Letter Killeth, but the Spirit Giveth Life.
Anthem: He's Able
Capital	Jonestown
Largest city	Georgetown (claimed;(limited recognition)
Official languages	English
Demonym(s)	Templeite
Government	Unitary Apostolic Socialist Theocratic Absolute Monarchy
• Universal Father	Rev. James Warren Jones
• General Secretary	Archie Ijames
• Chairman	Ross Case
Legislature	Planning Commission
Independence from Guyana
• Declared	November 18, 1978
• Established	September 17, 1980
Population
• 1982 estimate	36,522
Currency	Guyanese Dollar (GYD)
Time zone	UTC+4
• Summer (DST)	UTC+1 (not observed)
Driving side	left
Calling code	+201
Internet TLD	.prb

The Peoples Cooperative and Disciples of Jones, formerly the Peoples Temple and Disciples of Christ, often referred to as just the Peoples Cooperative is a de-facto sovereign state situated mostly in Northern Guyana. While the Peoples Cooperative claims full control over the entire state of Guyana, its de facto administrative control holds over the Northwestern coast and in-land to as far as Matthews Ridge. The Peoples Cooperative also holds part of Georgetown Northwest of it's foothold in Lamaha Gardens; however armed skirmishes and confrontation with the National Government of Guyana and local authorities of Georgetown make it difficulty overall to address it's full borders and administrative control over the city. The Peoples Cooperative's capital is situated in the settlement of Jonestown which was first established by the Cooperative in October 1973 as a humanitarian commune.

The Cooperative is known for its utopian ideals, with an emphasis on communal living, self-sufficiency, and spiritual exploration. Members of the community work together to maintain the farms and gardens that provide food for the community, while also engaging in artistic and cultural pursuits. Despite its apparent success, the Peoples Cooperative is considered a rogue state by the international stage, who view Jones as a dangerous cult leader. The community is heavily guarded and insulated from the outside world, with few outsiders allowed to enter.

History

The Peoples Temple was founded by Jim Jones, an American preacher and political activist, in the 1950s. The organization started as a religious group under the Disciples of Christ and later evolved into a political movement focused on racial equality, social justice, and communism. Jones gained popularity for his charismatic preaching and his message of unity and equality. In the 1970s, the Peoples Peoples Temple moved to Guyana to establish a utopian community in the jungle. The settlement, called Jonestown, was designed to be a self-sufficient, communal society that would serve as a model for the rest of the world. However, over time, the organization became more authoritarian and isolated from the outside world.

Gradually, Jones managed to establish a significant political presence in Guyana, and his followers became more and more entrenched in the government. Jones uses his power to silence opposition, and his followers become increasingly aggressive towards those who criticize him. As Jones consolidated his power, he began to implement increasingly extreme policies. In late 1975 Jones created a paramilitary force composed of his followers, which he used to intimidate political opponents and silence dissent. As Jones became more and more dictatorial, the international community began to take notice. Several countries express concern about the situation in Guyana and demand that Jones be held accountable for his actions. However, Jones and his followers refuse to listen to outside voices, and instead, they become even more repressive towards those who criticized them. As Jones continued to form a paramilitary force composed of his followers, the Guyanese government became increasingly concerned about the threat this posed to national security. They demanded that Jones disband his military force, but he refused, stating that it was necessary for the protection of his followers.

By late 1978 Jones and his followers had become deeply entrenched in the government, with several high-ranking officials being members of the Peoples Temple. This caused concern among some Guyanese officials, who saw the cult's growing influence as a threat to the country's democratic institutions. Tensions continued to escalate between Jones and the Guyanese government, and eventually, the situation came to a head. Jones declared himself the supreme leader of Guyana and demanded that the government submit to his rule. The government responded by ordering Jones and his followers to leave the country and disband their organization. Jones and his followers refused, and a violent confrontation ensued between the Peoples Temple and Guyanese security forces. In the ensuing chaos, several people were killed on both sides Ultimately, Jones declares himself the new leader of Guyana under the newly established "Peoples Cooperative" He declared that his rule is divinely ordained and that anyone who opposes him is an enemy of the state.

The Guyanese government initially tried to assert its authority over Jonestown, but they were met with stiff resistance from Jones and his followers. The Peoples Temple had armed themselves with weapons and established a fortified perimeter around their territory, making it difficult for the government to penetrate their defenses. Jones began to confiscate land and resources from the surrounding jungles and the Northwestern coast and in-land. Thanks to his former humanitarian aid and paramilitary arms, Jones and the Peoples Cooperative managed to gain a significant foothold in the northwest corner of Guyana. The Peoples Cooperate had already gained more and more control over the region, with their followers holding key positions in the local government and law enforcement agencies. Jones used his charisma and persuasive abilities to win over the local population, many of whom were impoverished and in need of assistance.

Government and politics

The Peoples Cooperative consists of the following institutions that are associated with Temple leadership:

• Universal Father of the Peoples Cooperative - Head of state and government
• The Planning Commission – the legislature and central authority of the Peoples Cooperative
• The Red Brigade - the cooperative's Security Services

Law and security

The Peoples Cooperative has no official land army, nor an air force or a navy. The Security Services, referred to as the Red Brigade, do not dispose over heavy weapons and advanced military equipment. The Red Brigade is under the leadership of the Planning Commission headed by the Security Chief who answers to the Universal Father alone.

Additionally the Red Brigade fulfils the roles of:

• Civil Police
• Public Security
• Preventive Security
• Executive Security
• Intelligence
• Emergency Services and Rescue

Demographics

Population

The population located in the Northwestern territories around Jonestown are unique as twice as many females as males live within it's borders, Black females make up the largest group at 45%, with white females comprising 13%. Black males make up over 23%, with white males making up a tenth, and the remainder falling in the Mixed or Other categories. Of the population residing in PC occupied Georgetown, 53% listed themselves as Black/African; 24% as mixed; and .15% as white.

Education

The Cooperative provides free education to all children from the ages of five to sixteen years. The education system in Guyana is divided into three levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary. The primary level consists of grades one to six, and the secondary level is made up of grades seven to eleven. The tertiary level comprises universities and other higher education institutions. Children provided with formal education through the Jonestown Elementary School. The school was established in 1974 and has a curriculum that emphasized basic literacy and numeracy skills, as well as socialist principles and communal living. Schools staffed by both American and Guyanese teachers, and the curriculum is taught in English. In addition to formal education, children also receive training in practical skills, such as agriculture and construction, which were necessary for communal living.

Healthcare

The health conditions in Jonestown, Guyana, were poor and often inadequate. The Peoples Temple initially established the settlement in 1974 as a utopian community, but over time, the isolation, lack of resources, and poor living conditions took a toll on the residents' health. The settlement had limited medical facilities, and there were only a few medical professionals among the members of the Peoples Temple. The lack of medical resources meant that basic medical needs, such as medications and supplies, were often unavailable. In addition, the community's isolation from the outside world meant that access to advanced medical treatment was virtually impossible. There were no hospitals or medical clinics nearby, and transportation to more extensive medical facilities was often challenging and unreliable.

AStarting in 1978 a public healthcare system provides to the citizens funded by the Cooperative coffers and provides free or low-cost medical care to the population. There have also been significant efforts into increasing the quailty of facilities including increasing the number of medical schools and offering incentives for healthcare professionals to work in rural areas. Additionally, there has been investment in upgrading healthcare facilities and introducing new technologies to improve the quality of care.The Ministry of Health, currently Larry Schacht, is responsible for overseeing the healthcare system and ensuring that essential services are available to all citizens.

Religion

Religion of the Peoples Cooperative

  Apostolic Socialism (93%)

  Agnostic (6%)

  Christianity (1%)

The main religion of the cooperative is "Apostolic Socialism" centered around a mix of Christianity, socialism, and communal living with Jones himself as a spiritual leader. His teachings emphasize the importance of racial and social equality, as well as the rejection of traditional religious and societal norms. The Cooperative promotes this as a form of Christianity that rejected the traditional Christian doctrine and emphasizes the social and communal aspects of the faith. Jones believed that Christianity should be focused on helping others and promoting social justice, rather than individual salvation. The group's religious practices include regular services that combined elements of Christianity with Jones' own teachings. Jones often delivers sermons in which he expounds on his socialist ideology and encourage members to work for the betterment of their community.

There is, however, a small population who claim to still follow conventional Christianity and some who claim to be agnostic.

Geography

It is known for its dense rainforests, vast savannas, and diverse wildlife. The region is mostly covered by a vast geological formation covering a significant part of northern South America. Which is made up of ancient rocks and has some of the oldest geological formations on Earth, estimated to be around 2.5 billion years old. The region is also home to the Pakaraima Mountains, a mountain range that extends from Guyana to Venezuela and Brazil. The mountains are part of the larger Guiana Highlands, which cover a significant part of the northern South American continent. The area is also known for its dense rainforests, which are part of the Amazon Rainforest ecosystem. These forests are home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including jaguars, giant otters, capybaras, and a variety of monkeys. The region is also home to several rivers, including the Essequibo, Mazaruni, and Cuyuni, which are important sources of freshwater and provide habitat for many aquatic species.

climate

The climate of the Peoples Cooperative is tropical and humid, with high temperatures and significant rainfall throughout the year. The region experiences two distinct seasons: a wet season and a dry season. The wet season typically runs from May to August, although rainfall can occur at other times of the year as well. During this time, the region experiences heavy rainfall and high humidity, with temperatures averaging around 27-29°C (80-84°F).The dry season runs from September to April and is characterized by lower humidity and less rainfall. However, even during the dry season, the region still receives some rainfall, and humidity remains relatively high. Temperatures during the dry season typically average around 26-28°C (79-82°F).