When the FBI published its 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment, the report drew ire for an unusual new addition: Juggalos, the fanbase of Detroit hip-hop duo Insane Clown Posse.
Now, 6 years later and still classified by the FBI as a gang, ICP fans descended on Washington D.C. for the Juggalo March, a coming-together of music fans looking to peacefully protest a classification they feel is unjust.
The march took place on Saturday at D.C.'s National Mall, and according to The Hill, hundreds gathered to take a stand.
Per the official Juggalo March website, self-identified Juggalos say they've felt the effects of the FBI's gang classification. In 2014, ICP worked with the ACLU to file a lawsuit against the FBI for its classification. In a promotional video for the event, band member Violent J laid out some of the issues their fans say they've faced as a result.
"We hear hundreds of fucked up, fowl-ass stories-- ninjas losing their jobs, being denied entry into the military, even losing custody of their kids in court battles because they are officially and legally labelled gang members," he said.
Saturday's march drew protestors to the National Mall, many wearing the fanbase's signature black-and-white face paint and carrying protest signs:
Mandatory Credit: Photo by SHAWN THEW/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (9064853j) A Juggalo, fan of the band Insane Clown Posse, carries a Hatchetman with a doughnut during the Juggalo March at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, USA, 16 September 2017. The march is in protest to the FBI's National Gang Intelligence Center listing the Juggalos as a 'hybrid gang.' Juggalo March on the National Mall, Washington, USA - 16 Sep 2017Credit: SHAWN THEW/EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockMandatory Credit: Photo by SHAWN THEW/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (9064853e) Jaggalos, fans of the band Insane Clown Posse, listen to a speaker during the Jaggalo March at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, USA, 16 September 2017. The march is in protest to the FBI's National Gang Intelligence Center listing the Juggalos as a 'hybrid gang'. Juggalo March on the National Mall, Washington, USA - 16 Sep 2017Credit: SHAWN THEW/EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockInsane Clown Posse fans, known as Juggalos, gather on D.C.'s National Mall to protest the FBI's classification of Juggalos as a gang.Credit: AFP/Getty ImagesFans of the US rap group Insane Clown Posse, known as Juggalos, gather on September 16, 2017 in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. to protest at a 2011 FBI decision to classify their movement as a gang. / AFP PHOTO / PAUL J. RICHARDS (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)Credit: AFP/Getty ImagesWASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 16: People gather for a rally before the start of the Juggalo March, at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, September 16, 2017 in Washington, DC. Fans of the band Insane Clown Posse, known as Juggalos, are protesting their identification as a gang by the FBI in a 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty ImagesCredit: Getty ImagesFans of the US rap group Insane Clown Posse, known as Juggalos, gather on September 16, 2017 in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. to protest at a 2011 FBI decision to classify their movement as a gang. / AFP PHOTO / PAUL J. RICHARDS (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)Credit: AFP/Getty ImagesWASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 16: People gather for a rally during the Juggalo March, at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, September 16, 2017 in Washington, DC. Fans of the band Insane Clown Posse, known as Juggalos, are protesting their identification as a gang by the FBI in a 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty ImagesCredit: Getty ImagesFans of the US rap group Insane Clown Posse, known as Juggalos, protest on September 16, 2017 in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. against a 2011 FBI decision to classify their movement as a gang. / AFP PHOTO / Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)Credit: AFP/Getty ImagesFans of the US rap group Insane Clown Posse, known as Juggalos, protest on September 16, 2017 in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. against a 2011 FBI decision to classify their movement as a gang. / AFP PHOTO / Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)Credit: AFP/Getty ImagesDressed up fans of the US rap group Insane Clown Posse, known as Juggalos, gather on September 16, 2017 in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. to protest against a 2011 FBI decision to classify their movement as a gang. / AFP PHOTO / Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)Credit: AFP/Getty ImagesFans of the US rap group Insane Clown Posse, known as Juggalos, protest on September 16, 2017 in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. against a 2011 FBI decision to classify their movement as a gang. / AFP PHOTO / PAUL J. RICHARDS (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)Credit: AFP/Getty ImagesFans of the US rap group Insane Clown Posse, known as Juggalos, gather on September 16, 2017 in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. to protest against a 2011 FBI decision to classify their movement as a gang. / AFP PHOTO / Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)Credit: AFP/Getty ImagesFans of the US rap group Insane Clown Posse, known as Juggalos, assemble on September 16, 2017 near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. to protest at a 2011 FBI decision to classify their movement as a gang. / AFP PHOTO / PAUL J. RICHARDS (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)Credit: AFP/Getty ImagesA masked fan of the US rap group Insane Clown Posse, known as Juggalos, holds placards during a protest on September 16, 2017 near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. against a 2011 FBI decision to classify their movement as a gang. / AFP PHOTO / Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)Credit: AFP/Getty ImagesFans of the US rap group Insane Clown Posse, known as Juggalos, protest on September 16, 2017 in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. against a 2011 FBI decision to classify their movement as a gang. / AFP PHOTO / PAUL J. RICHARDS (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)Credit: AFP/Getty ImagesFeatured Video For You
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