Los Angeles ( CNN ) -- Insane Clown Posse and four fans are suing the FBI for designating the rap duo 's followers as gang members . FBI analysts , using law enforcement and media reports of crimes committed by people wearing `` Juggalo '' tattoos and clothing , concluded in the 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment that they are a `` loosely organized hybrid gang . '' `` Juggalos are a 'family ' of people who love and help one another , enjoy one another 's company , and bond over the music and a philosophy of life , '' said the lawsuit filed in Detroit Wednesday . `` Organized crime is by no means part of the Juggalo culture . '' The gang designation violates fans ' constitutional rights , including free speech , freedom of association and the right to due process , the complaint argues . People with `` Juggalo '' tattoos and clothing have been illegally targeted by police and denied jobs because of the FBI 's gang designation , the complaint contends . `` Among the supporters of almost any group -- whether it be a band , sports team , university , political organization or religion -- there will be some people who violate the law . Inevitably , some will do so while sporting the group 's logos or symbols , '' the filing said . `` However , it is wrong to designate the entire group of supporters as a criminal gang based on the acts of a few . Unfortunately , that is exactly what happened here . '' The group has been battling with the FBI in court since 2012 for the release of any information the analysts used to make their determination . Most of the documents released were online news stories detailing robberies and violence in which `` Juggalos '' were suspects . The Insane Clown Posse lawsuit claims that its followers identify with their songs , which `` have hopeful , life-affirming themes about the wonders of life and the support that Juggalos give to one another . '' Insane Clown Posse : Hate us , do n't hate the fans . `` Many people view Juggalos as nonconformists because of their musical tastes , their practice of painting their faces to look like clowns , and the distinctive Juggalo symbols -- including the 'hatchetman ' logo -- that they often display on their clothing , jewelry , body art and bumper stickers , '' the suit said . `` Yet when Juggalos come together at concerts or their annual week-long gathering every summer , they know that they are in a community where all people are equal and where they will be accepted and respected for who they are . '' The wide distribution of the gang report to law enforcement agencies around the United States `` has caused real harm to ordinary Juggalos from coast to coast . '' The four fans who joined the lawsuit -- from Nevada , California , North Carolina and Iowa -- include a truck company owner who said he was detained by a state trooper in Tennessee because he was driving a truck with a `` Juggalo '' symbol on its side . Another man has been repeatedly stopped and questioned by California police because of his visible `` Juggalo '' tattoos , the suit said . A third fan was told by an Army recruiter that he could not join the military because of his `` Juggalo '' tattoo , it said . He was denied entry into the Army even after they were removed , the lawsuit said . The fourth plaintiff is an active-duty soldier with `` Juggalo '' tattoos . The gang designation `` places him in imminent danger of suffering discipline or an involuntary discharge from the Army , '' the lawsuit said . A Royal Oak , Michigan , theater canceled an Insane Clown Posse concert -- known as `` Hallowicked '' -- at the request of police , the suit said . The U.S. Justice Department has not yet filed a response to the lawsuit . `` We do n't comment on pending litigation , '' FBI spokeswoman Jenny Shearer said when contacted by CNN . `` We 're aware of the lawsuit , '' said Justice Department spokesman Wyn Hornbuckle . `` We 'll decline to comment . '' CNN 's Suzanne Presto and Carolyn Sung contributed to this report .
`` Juggalos are a 'family ' of people who love and help one another , '' suit says . The lawsuit claims that the group has been "subjected to harassment by law enforcement officials for over 20 years " because they have used their music as an outlet for gang activity in the past. Gang designation violates free speech , free association and due process rights , suit says . Every large group includes `` a relative handful engaged in criminal activity , '' suit contends .