Detroit's own Insane Clown Posse and their label Psychopathic Records have officially filed a lawsuit against the Federal Bureau of Investigation, just like they said they would back in August at the Gathering Of The Juggalos in Cave-In-Rock, Illionis.  The suit is a result of the FBI including ICP's fans, referred to as Juggalos, on it's 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment.

ICP and Psychopathic Records' legal counsel, Hertz Schram PC, has released the following statement...

“Hertz Schram PC, by Howard Hertz and Elizabeth Thomson, on behalf of Insane Clown Posse and Psychopathic Records, has filed suit against the FBI in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, alleging the FBI’s violation of the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) for its failure to produce any documentary evidence in support of the FBI’s classification of the groups’ fan base, the Juggalos, as a gang in the 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment: Emerging Trends.”

Farris F. Haddad, who is also a legal advisor on the case and a self-proclaimed Juggalo Lawyer added...

“The FBI either does not have much information backing up their labeling of Juggalos as a national street gang, or if they do, it is so flimsy they are certainly hesitant to share it — Because music fans are, simply, not the same thing as a gang.”

ICP's website contends that Juggalos are simply fans of music and shouldn't be "lumped in with the Aryan Brotherhood, Bloods, Crips and Latin Kings."  They also point out that Jimmy Buffet's  Parrot Heads, Lady Gaga's Little Monsters, Justin Bieber's Beliebers and The Grateful Dead's Deadheads have never been labeled as a street gang.

There is no question in my mind that there are some Juggalos in the world that are involved in crime and possibly even gang activity, but there are plenty of fans of any musical group that has ever had success that are also criminals.  Think about it, every single prison inmate in the United States most likely has a favorite band or singer.  While the FBI could potentially have information that suggests there are street gangs that choose to associate themselves with the Juggalo culture, it is completely ridiculous to suggest that all Juggalos are gang members.

I own a lot of albums that have been released by Psychopathic Records.  In fact, ICP's new album The Mighty Death Pop has dominated the playlist in my ride since it's release.  Does that mean I should receive extra attention from a cop if I was pulled over on a routine traffic stop because he heard that I was listening to gang-related music?  What if I put a Hatchetman sticker in the back window of my car?  Do I deserve to be harassed by law enforcement officers because I'm now considered to be a member of a dangerous street gang?

I chose to write about this because I think it's a pretty big deal.  I'm sure a lot of people who hate ICP will pay no attention to this case but if you think about it, everybody should have an interest in it.  If the government can label a group of people as a street gang based on the type of entertainment they enjoy, then no one is safe.

Shaffee

Shaffee & Violent J at a "gang rally"
Shaffee & Violent J at a "gang rally"
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If you or someone you know have suffered any negative consequence with a governmental representative, including law enforcement, border patrol, airline security, or other local, state or federal governmental agency or employee as a result of your status as a Juggalo, click HERE.

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