Pablo Martinez Monsivais, The Associated PressJuggalos, as supporters of the rap group Insane Clown Posse are known, march past the Washington Monument as they head towards the Lincoln Memorial in Washington during a rally, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. The event was held to demand that the FBI rescind its classification of the juggalos as a "loosely organized hybrid gang."
Pablo Martinez Monsivais, The Associated PressTheresa Lindsey, left, dressed as Snow White helps Timothy Schlarmann, center, dressed as Uncle Sam, who are from southern California, with his costume as they join other juggalos, as supporters of the rap group Insane Clown Posse are known, in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington during a rally, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, to protest and demand that the FBI rescind its classification of the juggalos as "loosely organized hybrid gang."
Pablo Martinez Monsivais, The Associated PressRichard Williams, 29, of Oakland, Calif., joins other juggalos, as supporters of the rap group Insane Clown Posse are known, in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington during a rally, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, to protest and demand that the FBI rescind its classification of the juggalos as "loosely organized hybrid gang."
Al Drago, Getty ImagesPeople gather for a rally during the Juggalo March, at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, Sept. 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.
Tasos Katopodis, Getty Images"Ape" from Oakland, CA attends the Juggalo March at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, Sept. 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.
Al Drago, Getty ImagesPeople gather for a rally during the Juggalo March, at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, Sept. 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.
Tasos Katopodis, Getty ImagesPeople gather for a rally during the Juggalo March at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, Sept. 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.
Al Drago, Getty ImagesPeople display their middle fingers at a Park Police helicopter overhead, at the Juggalo March, at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, Sept. 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.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais, The Associated PressViolent J, a member of the rap group Insane Clown Posse, yells on stage before speaking to juggalos, as supporters of the group are known, in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington during a rally, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, to protest and demand that the FBI rescind its classification of the juggalos as "loosely organized hybrid gang."
Al Drago, Getty ImagesJoseph Utsler, known as Shaggy 2 Dope from the hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse, speaks beside Joseph Bruce, known as Violent J, left, at the Juggalo March, at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, Sept. 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.
Zach Gibson, AFP/Getty ImagesA fan of the US rap group Insane Clown Posse wears buttons depicting members of the group on a hat during a protest on Sept. 16, 2017 in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. against a 2011 FBI decision to classify their movement as a gang.
Paul J. Richards, AFP/Getty ImagesFans of the US rap group Insane Clown Posse, known as Juggalos, assemble on Sept. 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.
Paul J. Richards, AFP/Getty ImagesFans of the US rap group Insane Clown Posse, known as Juggalos, protest on Sept. 16, 2017 in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. against a 2011 FBI decision to classify their movement as a gang.
Al Drago, Getty ImagesMarchers walk past the Washington Monument during the Juggalo March, on the National Mall, Sept. 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.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais, The Associated PressFrom left, sisters Melina, 17, and Tiffany Baker, 12, and Jajuan Dunkins, 17, join other juggalos, as supporters of the rap group Insane Clown Posse are known, in front of the Reflecting Pool along the National Mall in Washington during a rally, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. The event was to demand that the FBI rescind its classification of the juggalos as "loosely organized hybrid gang."
Al Drago, Getty ImagesA woman paints her face in the same style as Shaggy 2 Dope from the hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse, during the Juggalo March, at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, Sept. 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.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais, The Associated PressFonz Tobin, 25, from Albuquerque, N.M., holds up a sign in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, as he joins other supporters of the rap group Insane Clown Posse, during a rally Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, to protest and demand that the FBI rescind its classification of the juggalos as "loosely organized hybrid gang."
Pablo Martinez Monsivais, The Associated Press
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Juggalos, as supporters of the rap group Insane Clown Posse are known, march past the Washington Monument as they head towards the Lincoln Memorial in Washington during a rally, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. The event was held to demand that the FBI rescind its classification of the juggalos as a "loosely organized hybrid gang."
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By Dean Krakel | The Denver Post and The Associated Press | The Associated Press
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
In front of the Lincoln Memorial, Juggalos, as supporters of the rap group Insane Clown Posse are known, rallied and readied for a concert. They are pushing their demand that the FBI rescind its classification of Juggalos as a “loosely organized hybrid gang.”
The rap duo has developed an intensely devoted fan base over the course of a 25-year career, and some fans held signs that said, “Music is Not a Crime.”
A 2011 report by the Justice Department’s Gang Task Force placed the Juggalos, who favor extensive tattoos and outlandish face paint, in the same classification as overtly violent gangs such as the Bloods and the Crips.
The rap group and its fans claim to be a nonviolent community subject to largely class-based discrimination by law enforcement. The band, along with the ACLU, sued the FBI in 2014 seeking to change the classification but with little success so far.