Insane Clown Posse Loses Court Battle: ‘Juggalos,’ You Are Gang Members
Insane Clown Posse fans, commonly known as “Juggalos,” are indeed a gang if you believe the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
This “fact” was reiterated when a federal judge ruled in favor of the agency in ICP’s lawsuit, which takes its roots from a 2011 report.
According to The Wire, U.S. District Judge Robert Cleland ruled that because a the report on gangs is “descriptive,” and not ” prescriptive,” it doesn’t break any laws.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan supported the Insane Clown Posse in its legal fight to get the title thrown out.
Needless to say, neither group was none too happy about Cleland’s final ruling. From an ACLU statement:
The only way to remedy this injustice for all innocent Juggalos is to start with the root of the problem – the FBI’s arbitrary and erroneous branding of hundreds of thousands of music fans as gang members. There is no doubt that the FBI created this problem and the solution begins there as well. Otherwise, we’ll be playing whack-o-mole to stop local law enforcement agencies from discriminating against our clients, when the agencies are just following the FBI’s lead.
This statement highlights the core of the problem for ICP. They claim that because of the FBI report, their fans have been unfairly targeted by law enforcement officials across the country.
While the FBI has removed the classification in subsequent reports, the Associated Press notes, the 2011 report is still widely used by law enforcement agencies.
Juggalos typically wear similar face paint to that of the Insane Clown Posse, a Detroit-based hip hop duo comprised of Joseph Bruce (aka Violent J) and Joseph Utsler (Shaggy 2 Dope). The pair has been active since 1989. Their fans usually come together in so-called “gathering of the juggalos” festivals every year.
For law enforcement to target these fans, it could potentially harm the commercial viability of ICP, and it does step into dangerous territory with regard to unlawful profiling.
On Tuesday, Bruce had this to say: “This is not the end — we’ll keep fighting to clear the Juggalo family name.”
The ACLU added that “Juggalos are not an organized fan club, but a group of people who bond over the music and a philosophy of life, much like ‘Deadheads’ bonded through the Grateful Dead.”
The FBI begs to differ, noting that Juggalos have been responsible for assaults and vandalism and a “small number” of more serious crimes, the report notes.
Do you think Insane Clown Posse fans deserve to have their names cleared? Sound off in our comments section.
[Image via Featureflash / Shutterstock.com]
