By Lynne Tuohy

CONCORD, N.H. - The New Hampshire Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Bigfoot’s right to romp around Mount Monadnock - and against a state regulation governing special events at parks.

The court ruled unanimously yesterday that the language of the regulation is so broad it would apply to six people holding a private prayer service, three people carrying campaign signs at a mountain’s peak, or even a lone protester.

Keene entrepreneur Jonathan Doyle and the New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union Foundation appealed after state park officials barred Doyle, an amateur filmmaker, from wearing his monkey costume and interviewing other hikers about a Bigfoot sighting at Mount Monadnock in September 2009.

Park officials said Doyle had failed to pay $100 for a special-use permit 30 days in advance and secure a $2 million bond, as required by the regulation. The permit regulation applies to all properties operated by the state Department of Resources and Economic Development.

The court said the regulation violates constitutional free speech rights by requiring someone to get a permit 30 days in advance for any “organized or special events which go beyond routine recreational activities.’’

The justices called the regulation “panoptic’’- including in one view everything in sight.

Article continues here: http://articles.boston.com/2012-01-14/metro/30624326_1_regulation-bigfoot-costume