After seven years, the FBI has released their report detailing Insane Clown Posse‘s fans, the Juggalos, as a “loosely organised hybrid gang”. Citing violence, criminal activity and “gang-like behaviour”, the dedicated ICP fans became “of concern to law enforcement” in 2011.
NUmerous legal challenges have been actioned to fight the classification. However, in December 2017 Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, as well as several Juggalos and the ACLU, lost their appeal to have the gang classification removed. They argued that “organised crime is by no means part of the Juggalo culture”.
Prior to the ruling, over 1,000 Insane Clown Posse fans marched in Washington D.C. to peacefully protest the classification. Fans of the ‘horrorcore’ rap rock group have identified as ‘Juggalos’ for over 20 years, most easily identified by their iconic face-paint and the bands’ hatchetman symbol.
Their alternative appearance and lifestyle choices continue to create misunderstood and negative public perceptions about the dedicated fanbase. Many claim that the gang classification has worsened this perception, resulting in harassment, profiling and discrimination of fans around the country.
You can read the moderately-redacted FBI report here, if that’s your thing.
The release of this FBI report unintentionally coincides with the annual Gathering Of The Juggalos Festival, which kicks off in Ohio next week.
WATCH: A look inside the annual ‘Gathering Of The Juggalos’ festival
