Exclusive Interview: Insane Clown Posse (band) is Suing the FBI!(And Why it Matters)

FuseNews ^ | August 10, 2012 | Nicole James

[LucyT]

Did you know Juggalos are considered a "criminal gang" by the FBI? "It gets laughs out of people, but think about it," Violent J tells Fuse. "That's insane."

After Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope tweeted a mysterious message earlier this week talking about "the biggest announcement of Insane Clown Posse's career," we've now got an answer: ICP is suing the FBI.

The problem is that the FBI considers Juggalos—what ICP fans call themselves—a real-deal criminal gang. According to the FBI's 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment report, Juggalos are considered an official "concern to law enforcement." The members of Insane Clown Posse think that's pretty... insane.

When we spoke with Insane Clown Posse earlier this week, they explained why the FBI targeting Juggalos isn't as funny as some people think.

"[This is] an open attempt to kill us off, for the FBI to do that," Violent J tells Fuse. "It gets laughs out of people but think about it—that's insane. To name our fanbase a gang with Crips and Bloods and MS-13s.... I don't know where to begin with that sh*t. Does that mean our concerts are gang rallies now? Does that mean our merchandise is gang apparel? What if you were a Juggalo 15 years ago and you got a Hatchetman [the group's logo] on your arm? Now you're a real estate agent raising a family and you get pulled over, [suddenly] you're in the police file as a gang member because you have your favorite band's logo on your arm. That's crazy."

[LucyT]

The duo believes the music industry hasn't given this situation the outcry it deserves. "If it would have happened to anybody else the whole industry would have been up in arms [talking about] freedom of speech,"

[snip]

To coincide with their lawsuit, ICP have launched the website Juggalos Fight Back ("A place for 'los and 'lettes to be heard"), where Juggalos who feel like they've been discrminated for their affiliation with the band can fill out a legal action questionnaire to have their incident reviewed by the band's legal team.

[LucyT]

The ICP, which has been performing since 1989, has fans that are called “Juggalos”. The FBI has decided that the band and their fans constitute a “gang”.

This matters, because not only the FBI, but the Justice Department and now the Pentagon, have taken to arbitrarily designating conservative organizations like the Tea Party and the Border Minutemen in the same category as violent criminal and terrorist organizations.

In truth, while the ICP and their fans wear clown makeup, and perform and listen to rap music, other than being a rather pathetic bunch, to be called a “gang”, with all that implies, by a powerful government police organization, is very serious indeed.

And if they prevail in their lawsuit, the next lawsuit should be by conservative organizations who have been labled in this way, and suffered because of it.

[a fool in paradise]

Between the drug running, drug abuse, and interstate rampages of murder, why would anyone associate ICP fans with gang bangers? < /sarc >

[Oratam]

I’m not surprised. Hoover expressed concern over Bobby-Soxers, if I recall correctly.

[a fool in paradise]

They don’t comprise a gang in the traditional sense as there is no initiation ceremony or dues. It represents a cultish association by choice.

[RichInOC]

What? They are. At least at the concerts.

[a fool in paradise]

Well that Frankie Sinatra was working for the mob...

[a fool in paradise]

Roulette Records was reportedly run by a mobster.

[a fool in paradise]

There are Hispanic gang bangers going to rockabilly events in the California/Nevada area. Wouldn’t surprise me if they are dealing coke and weed and speed and painkillers.

At a point, it is wrong to generalize everyone as being a gang member, but at the same time, there can be gang activity under the surface.

[struggle]

[EricT.]

Damn, I thought Insane Clown Posse was a new nickname for LSDNC’s on-air babblers.

[Salman]

I’m thinking it’s a publicity stunt.

[Hardraade]

Little hooks.

[JaguarXKE]

Wow, a band with their faces painted white and black. How original.

[One_American]

When I saw Insane Clown Posse being a criminal gang, I thought this article was about the Choom Brother Chicago Thug gang in the WH.

They drain off millions and billions of taxpayer $$$$$, they ship illegal guns to Mexican drug cartels, and they have tangential links to various islamic terrorist groups.

That is one Insane Posse of Clowns.

Brought to you by American liberals.

Your thinking of the Hussein Clown Posse.

[Chode]

post of the day!

[RedMDer]

Don't let FR fade away! Donate.
For every New Monthly Donor, another FReeper is donating $10.00!!
Please take this generous offer into consideration!

[SargeK]

Less of a gang and more of a waste of oxygen.

Go to an ICP concert and despair for the future of mankind. Seeing the loos and lettes in action will tell you why the mooj think we all need to die.