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'Bigfoot' Files Free Speech Suit

Costumed filmmaker says NH stomped on his rights

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 9, 2011 2:42 AM CST

(Newser) – An amateur filmmaker kicked out of a state park while impersonating Bigfoot says his rights have been stomped on. Jonathan Doyle dressed up as the mythical creature, ran around New Hampshire's Mount Monadnock, then shed the disguise and interviewed hikers about what they'd seen. Park rangers barred him from filming a repeat performance, and he is now suing the state, the BBC reports.

Doyle, whose lawsuit is backed by the American Civil Liberties Union, says the state's requirement that he pay for a permit and obtain a $2 million insurance bond before filming violates his right to free speech. "The underlying activities are humorous, but the principle's important," an ACLU lawyer tells AP. "We're talking about a very small-scale activity in a very large place. We don't believe there's any legitimate government role in regulation."

[Images (1)]

[Videos (1)]

Doyle, in costume, atop Mount Monadnock. (YouTube)

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Doyle's first 'Bigfoot' video. (Nycreator)

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'Bigfoot' Files Free Speech Suit