Rappers INSANE CLOWN POSSE have filed a lawsuit against officials at the U.S. Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation over a report which labelled their fans gang members.

Violent J, real name Joseph Bruce, and Shaggy 2 Dope, real name Joey Utsler, and four fans filed the legal paperwork on Wednesday in the U.S. Federal District Court in Michigan, claiming their constitutional rights of free expression and association and due process were violated by the 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment.

The fans, who call themselves Juggalos, also allege they have been subject to police harassment because of the designation.

Violent J says, "When the label first come out, I laughed at it. I had no idea how much it would effect us. Now it's like a growing disease. It's affecting everything ICP does. We're going to fight this to the death, 'cause it's not true. It's stupid. It's ridiculous."

Shaggy 2 Dope adds, "We're not a gang. We're a family - a diverse group of men and women united by our love of music, and nothing more. We're not a threat, a public menace or a danger to society... and it's time the FBI recognises that. We will prevail in this fight to clear the Juggalo family name, because not to would be bulls**t."

The case is the latest legal woe for the rappers - they are facing a wrongful termination lawsuit from a former publicist, who is also accusing them of harassment.