The Insane Clown Posse says they've been forced to relocate their Halloween concert ... after police in Royal Oak, Michigan voiced concerns about the "type of crowd they bring" ... TMZ has learned.

Of course, the "crowd" in question is the Juggalos -- a group which the FBI has classified as a dangerous street gang.  ICP says the FBI is wrong ... they're just REALLY passionate fans. 

A rep for ICP tells TMZ ... the group had booked the Royal Oak Music Theater for the venue of their "Hallowicked" show -- and it had nearly sold out when suddenly the venue decided to cancel the event. 

ICP is convinced ROMT backed out at the behest of the police ... who raised several issues, including the FBI's assessment of the Juggalos as a gang.

The Royal Oak Police Dept. tells TMZ ... they never FORCED the venue to cancel, but did ask them to "reconsider" because of the "the type of crowd they bring."

The cops tell us ... they were also “concerned about the amount of resources they had available that night.”

ICP has since relocated their show to The Fillmore theater in Detroit -- and insist "Halloween will not be spoiled."

The Insane Clown Posse is straight up pissed at the FBI, yo ... claiming the feds were WRONG for classifying their "Juggalo" superfans as a dangerous street gang ... and now the Clowns have lawyered up, hoping to sue the government.

ICP believes several members of their Juggalo faithful have had their rights violated ever since the group appeared on the FBI's National Gang Threat Assessment list in 2011.

The feds believe "many Juggalo subsets exhibit gang-like behavior and engage in criminal activity and violence."

But ICP is adamant their fans are getting a bum rap ... claiming Juggalos have wrongly been placed in the same catagory as "such notorious entities as the Aryan Brotherhood, Bloods, Crips and the Latin Kings."
 
ICP member Shaggy 2 Dope released a statement saying, "We are hearing too many stories from our fans about the trouble [being on the FBI list is] causing them. Just because you like a music group, doesn’t make you a criminal.”

The other ICP member, Violent J, added, “We’re not attacking the FBI, but they got this wrong. The Juggalos are not a gang, and that needs to be fixed.”

ICP has reached out to their fans ... seeking Juggalos who believe they have been mistreated by law enforcement because of the FBI's characterization of the group. The goal is to sue the government for discrimination.

The guys touring with Insane Clown Posse -- who were arrested last night for marijuana possession -- not only maintain they are innocent ... they claim they were set up!

As TMZ first reported, Jamie Spaniolo and Paul Methric (better known as the rap duo Twiztid) and Chris Rouleau (who raps under the name Blaze) were all busted for felony marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.

Methric (above, middle) tells TMZ the group was "set up and snitched on by a guy with a vendetta against them." He says the group is "not guilty" and their "lawyer will be fighting this in court to the full extent."

As for who could have set them up ... Methric did not want to elaborate, for legal reasons.

Three rappers currently on tour with the Insane Clown Posse were arrested in Tampa, FL yesterday and each charged with felony possession of marijuana ... TMZ has learned.

From left to right ... Jamie Spaniolo and Paul Methric (better known as the rap duo Twiztid) and Chris Rouleau (who raps under the name Blaze) were also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.

All three posed for mug shots ... sans their infamous make-up.

They were each released this morning on $2,500 bond.

The tour is scheduled to hit Richmond, VA on Monday and New York City on Tuesday.


According to the police report, officers busted the rappers aboard their tour bus after an officer smelled marijuana from the outside. During their search of the bus, cops found marijuana in a sandwich bag as well as loose marijuana "being prepared for 'rolling.'" Cops found 110.6 grams of marijuana in total.

After last year's attacks of Tila Tequila and Method Man, you'd think the Gathering of the Juggalos would INCREASE security. Not only would you be wrong, but they're doing the EXACT OPPOSITE.



Violent J from the Insane Clown Posse (the group behind the annual festival) tells TMZ ... ICP feels the TALENT was to blame for last year's violence ... because they incited the crowd while onstage.

Mr. J believes the performers lined up for the 2011 festival have "mad respect" for the juggalos ... and won't make the same mistake.

Click here... it's not over yet

The Insane Clown Posse never thought they'd be able to get a star as big as Charlie Sheen to M.C. at their upcoming Gathering of the Juggalos festival ... until Sheen himself ASKED for the job.



ICP member Violent J tells TMZ ... the group received a call from Charlie's rep back in April ... telling them how Sheen was a HUGE fan of the Gathering and he would LOVE to work with the group.

Of course, ICP was STOKED -- but figured Sheen was WAYYYYY out of their price range. But, Violent J says Charlie was "so into the message of the festival" ... they were able to agree on a "reasonable amount."

The deal was finalized last week and Sheen will serve as an M.C. at the event in August.

Dude better be careful though ... TWO celebrity guests -- Tila Tequila and Method Man -- were bloodied up on stage at last year's Gathering ... when the fans pelted them with rocks and beer cans.

MC Hammer has a better chance of surviving the apocalypse than the Insane Clown Posse's annual Gathering of the Juggalos. So pay attention Hammer ... if you want to LIVE!



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MC Hammer is risking serious bodily injury -- because the rapper has agreed to perform at the 2011 Gathering of the Juggalos ... just one year after TWO performers were brutally attacked by fans.



The Insane Clown Posse -- the group behind the GOJ -- just announced the return of the 4-day concert via YouTube ... with a line-up that includes MC Hammer, Psycho Jesus, and Lil Wyte.

Tila Tequila and Method Man were featured performers at last year's Gathering -- but each left the stage dripping with blood after fans went ballistic ... and pelted them with rocks and beer cans. 



The concert is set to go down in August -- leaving Hammer with a whole 2 months to change his mind ... unless he really needs the money.

 

Violent J from Insane Clown Posse claims Method Man dug his own grave when he took a flying beer can to the face -- because according to the clown, Meth riled up the crowd first with a nasty insult.


Violent J tells TMZ, the crowd at the Gathering of the Juggalos -- ICP's trademark music festival -- were chanting the word "family" when Method Man and Redman took the stage last weekend ... a word J claims is a term of endearment among Juggalos.

J claims Method Man didn't know the significance of the word, telling the crowd, "F**k family. It's all about hip-hop" -- and according to the man in black-and-white face paint, that's exactly where MM went wrong ... and paid for it with a bloody face.

As we first reported, Meth plans to sue over the incident -- but J tells us, "I don't feel responsible at all" ... referring to the impending lawsuit as "straight b*tch sh*t."

Despite the bad blood -- Violent J adds, "We don't think it should have happened ... We respect Meth and Red to the fullest."