Richard Clark: A Black American Jonestown Survivor and Hero

Richard Clark was a member of the infamous Peoples Temple led by James Warren Jones, better known as Jim Jones. His story is one of tremendous courage, bravery and proof that you should always trust your intuition.

Richard Clark was born in Mississippi but later moved to Los Angeles, California. There he became a member of the Peoples Temple in 1972. The belief that Jim Jones had healed him from kidney stones intensified his faith in him and the ministry. He became an enthusiastic believer of Jim Jones’ vision of a utopian society in Guyana. He left California and traveled to Jonestown, Guyana with his girlfriend Diane Louie. 

Immediately upon their arrival to Jonestown, Clark noticed something wasn’t right about the supposed Promised Land. And at that moment he began to devise a plan to escape. 

In this “utopian” society, Clark noticed characteristics in the people that seemed very reminiscent of slavery. The compound had a group of individuals who acted as overseers of the residents’ work. The people never smiled, often whispered and worked all day with barely any downtime. Couples were separated into different quarters and sex among partners and even married couples had to be approved by Jim Jones. The personal possessions and passports of the residents were also confiscated the moment they arrived in Jonestown. And worst of all, no one could leave, or so they believed, because the compound was in the middle of the jungle. The only way in or out of the compound was by boat or plane. 

As a part of his plan to escape Jonestown, Clark volunteered for an undesirable job in the “piggery” located in an isolated part of the compound. Each day he explored the jungle and found a path out. He then told his girlfriend Diane and others of his plan. 

On November 18, 1978, Jim Jones planned a celebration for Congressman Leo Ryan’s return to America. Richard thought this was the perfect time to carry out his plan. He gathered his group and pretended to go on a picnic. They followed a path until they reached railroad tracks. They were picked up by the train and taken to safety in the town of Matthews Ridge.

Richard Clark’s intelligence and courage not only saved his life but the life of his partner and nine other individuals. Not only was Richard keen enough to know it was time to leave Jonestown, he also left his belongings with a relative instead of selling them and donating the proceeds to the People’s Temple as the members were required to do before traveling to Jonestown, Guyana. 

Richard died of natural causes in 2003. He was 66 years old.

Listen to recordings of Richard Clark and Diane Louie produced by the Center for the Study of New Religious Movements; Graduate Theological Union Library and Archives

Books To Explore More About the Jonestown  Murder-Suicide and Include Richard Clark:

“The Road to Jonestown: Jim Jones and Peoples Temple” by Jeff Guinn – Provides a comprehensive account of the events leading up to the tragedy, including insights about Richard Clark’s involvement.

“Seductive Poison: A Jonestown Survivor’s Story of Life and Death in the People’s Temple” by Deborah Layton – Written by a former member of the cult, this book sheds light on Richard Clark’s role within the Peoples Temple.

“A Thousand Lives: The Untold Story of Jonestown” by Julia Scheeres – Explores the personal stories of various Peoples Temple members, including Richard Clark, leading up to and during the tragic event.

“Raven: The Untold Story of the Rev. Jim Jones and His People” by Tim Reiterman – Investigative journalist Tim Reiterman provides a detailed examination of Jonestown, delving into Richard Clark’s involvement within the cult.

“The Peoples Temple and Black Religion in America” by Rebecca Moore – While not solely focused on Richard Clark, this book offers an academic analysis of the Peoples Temple and its connections to African American religious history.

*Please note that some of these books may only briefly mention Richard Clark’s involvement, as the primary emphasis is on the overall Jonestown Murder-Suicide.