In the News,

Juggalos’ March on Washington to Protest ‘Gang Member’ Label

This is what Solidarity Looks Like

Credit: @StirlingArt of @IPM_Tweets

On Saturday, Sept. 16, 2 p.m. EST, Juggalos – fans of the hip-hop duo the Insane Clown Posse – from across the country will descend upon the National Mall. And they’re driven to a cause: To protest that the FBI and Department of Justice have labeled them “gang members.”

The designation has caused Juggalos, according to the Juggalo March events website, to lose jobs, be denied the chance to serve in the military, and even lose custody of their children. Furthermore, the “gang member” designation has led to unwarranted monitoring and additional harassment from law enforcement.

Other Left-Leaning Groups Show Solidarity

Progressive and pro-union organizations have taken notice of the Juggalo March partly because they recognize and have experienced similar injustices. Using this commonality as a starting point, progressive allies hope to build upon this and create a lasting relationship and model for what solidarity looks like.

The march has also generated attention because it occurs on the same day as a pro-Trump rally in DC. Thus, the injustices the gang designation created in conjunction with the marches timing has garnered the Juggalo march a lot of attention on the internet.

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) released a statement, outlining why we should support the march:

With recent events raising the profile of the Juggalo community, many activists are beginning to realize how the government’s being capable of labeling a group a “gang” without any accountability or due process is an important issue for revolutionaries to engage in.

Most Juggalos identify as apolitical. Some lean left, others right. We still believe that the March on Washington to protest the gang designation is an issue we should support. Repression targeting a working-class subculture, and setting a dangerous precedent of casting wide nets, has to be challenged. An injury to one is an injury to all.

Marching with the Juggalos is a way we can demonstrate our solidarity with fellow working class people. It creates a bridge to support Juggalos in other issues that we hold dear, such as workplace organizing, community organizing, and fighting the prison-industrial complex. Juggalos have had reasons to stick together and “circle the wagons,” being wary of people outside of “the Family.” But we believe by standing with them now, we can begin to build bridges of trust and cooperation. We recognize that trust is earned, and we are dedicated to showing that support through our actions.

The Juggalo Avatar

If you don’t live in the DC metro area or otherwise can’t make the Juggalo March in person you can still show solidarity, albeit online, by getting your avatar “juggaloed”.

If you’re looking to get juggaloed, the folks at The Institute for Progressive Memetics (IPM)  can make your dreams a reality:

Not limiting themselves to meme making, IPM public relations director Brittany Sneers tells Progressive Army:

At IPM, we’re a collective of people with varying views across the left spectrum, but we all believe in the same basic principles of humanity. We all strive for equality. We all fight for the 99%. We all stand against racism and fascism. And much like the Juggalos, we’re a family. We’re down with the clown. We’re brothers in struggalo. When one of us is maligned, we’re all maligned. So we stand with them in this march, and we defend their right to exist without offensive, incorrect, and detrimental labels. Show your solidarity with us in this fight against all the evils in this world. Get down with the clown.

Whoop whoop!

Gang MemberInsane Clown PosseJuggalo

Written by Andre Roberge

Father, Husband. Went to school for philosophy (university of WA) and now I work for a train company -- Interests include Labor Law, TILA, Unions, Paid Family Leave, Healthcare, Philosophy of Science, Fantasy Football and Open Government-- Fanboy of The Take Down with Nick Nowlin and The Way with Anoa. Follow Andre on Twitter @SubvertingPower.

Andre Roberge is a Researcher and Writer for Progressive Army.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Mainstream Media’s Fail on Russia

Juggalos’ March on Washington to Protest ‘Gang Member’ Label