Over the weekend, an article from CopBlock.org was sent to us concerning the ATF being denied entry into this year’s Gathering of the Juggalos.  For those that don’t know, CopBlock is a website setup where individuals document police actions, and try to hold them accountable for any wrongdoing.

CopBlock got a hold of the latest issue of Jumpsteady’s Journal, and basically recounted everything that he went over in the issue.

Here’s the full article from CopBlock.org:

ATF TRIED TO STRONG ARM ENTRY INTO GATHERING OF THE JUGGALOS BUT GOT DENIED

Date of Incident: July 2014
Outfit: ATF

This year the 15th Annual Gathering Of The Juggalos took place from July 23rd-26th, 2014 at Legend Valley Campground in Ohio. Police were inside the grounds this year, which is a drastic change from the last several Gatherings where no police were allowed inside due to the grounds being private property. The police within the grounds made no attempt to stop any of the partying that was going on within the grounds and had been even quoted as saying “really, who cares if they have a little marijuana?” Those officers never left their golf carts during the entire event.

The ATF, however, tried to strong arm their way in. They called Robert Bruce (a.k.a. Jumpsteady), who was the organizer of the event, and told him that they were on the grounds and wanted to know where they could set up camp. He told then to wait a minute. Then, he quickly called the owner of the campground (Steve), the camera crew who were filming a documentary at The Gathering that year, and the Juggalo’s own personal lawyer, Farris. They got together quickly and came to the conclusion that the ATF was not allowed to be on their property because Steve had not given them permission, yet they had already stormed onto the grounds demanding to be let in.

Bruce, Farris, the camera crew and several others then went out to meet the ATF where they were sitting. When they got there, they discovered a small crew of ATF officers standing there, as well as about eight more officers sitting on already running Razor 4-wheelers and four more officers who were clearly in charge sitting at a picnic table. When the officers saw a group of about 20 people coming towards them, waving cameras, boom sticks, and the like, their mouths dropped open in shock.

Bruce pointed over to the table to indicate who was in charge of the operation and Farris began to tell them they were already breaking the law by being inside the grounds. The minute they heard that, all four officers at the table jumped up and started running for their cars and the exits, leaving all of the other officers sitting there looking confused, while trying to avoid the cameras as much as possible.

Bruce, Farris and the camera crew then turned their attention to the rest of the officers who just sat there, dumbfounded, waiting for orders. As they got close to the officers on the Razors, the officers got their orders and peeled off as fast as they could. One of the officers even flipped the bird to Bruce and company and it was all captured on camera, and will be released when the documentary for The Gathering is completed.

I find it rather convenient that the only festival that the ATF tries to invade is The Gathering of The Juggalos. They don’t do that at any other festivals. I wonder if this would’ve happened had the F.B.I. done what they’re supposed to be doing instead wasting their time labeling people as gang members for the music they listen to.

Of course, even with this absolutely positive article about standing up to a wrongful assertion of authority, Juggalos are getting SLAMMED in the comments section.  We can’t escape the hate, but you can go there and defend our integrity.  Either way, much love to CopBlock for shining a light on this incident!

Contributors:

• Sqeek

Websites:

• ATF tried to strong arm entry into GOTJ @ CopBlock.org
• Jumpsteady's Journal - 10/11/14 @ HatchetHerald.com