New York City Clowns plan rally after It cost them jobs

Though their smile is painted on, some New York clowns are feeling down since they have been losing jobs because of Stephen King’s It remake.

The clowns are fighting back against the scary stigma by staging a rally outside of Union Square Regal Cinema in New York City on Thursday. 

John Nelson told NBC 4 New York he and his Clowns in Town business partner have had several cancellations in the last week because of It. 

Approximately two percent of adults have Coulrophobia, the official name for the fear of clowns (Pennywise, pictured) 

He told the station why he is going to the rally, saying: ‘Our hope is to raise enough awareness so when people think of clowns they won’t think of scary murderers but people who dedicate their lives to bringing joy,” said Nelson.’

Clowns are also suffering in Australia. 

Jebly the Clown and Mr Loopy told Sunrise hosts that films like It are damaging to the clown industry.

‘I tried to go up to them and give them a high-five and say hello and they run away,’ Mr Loopy said Thursday morning. 

It, which grossed $123.4 million domestically, is about a demon who shape shifts into murderous clown named Pennywise. 

It emerges from the sewer every 27 years and terrorizes the sleepy town of Derry, Maine. 

Approximately two percent of adults have Coulrophobia, the official name for the fear of clowns.