Contents
- Plaintiff Wanted!
- Even Bigfoot Knows His Rights
Plaintiffs Wanted!
Do you live in a condominium? Do you have a message that you would like to promote – Free Tibet!, Ethanol is Stupid!, Whirled Peas! -but your condominium association prevents you from displaying signs or flags?
NHCLU is looking for plaintiffs to challenge the newly enacted Flag Display section of the Condominium Act. That act makes it unlawful for a condominium associated to prohibit the flying of the United States flag from a private residence, including a condominium. However any other flag or display can still be banned.
By this act, the government is compelling private entities to promote a particular message. NHCLU believe this violates the First Amendment and we would like to challenge it. If you are willing to serve as a plaintiff in such a law suit and would like additional information, contact our staff attorney Barbara Keshen.
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The New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union is suing the state on behalf of America’s favorite furry, bipedal humanoid. Well, actually – on behalf of a human filmmaker and performance artist who was barred from filming his ape suit adventures at a local mountain.
Jonathan Doyle made his first appearance as Bigfoot in September 2009, when he donned the costume and ran across the top of Mt. Monadnock. Then, in street clothes, he filmed bystanders talking about what they saw. As Doyle told the media:
“People loved it. It was socially engaging. When I showed up at the top of the mountain dressed as Bigfoot and beating my chest, everyone just laughed and hoorayed.”
Apparently park manager Patrick Hummel was not as captivated by the Sasquatch sighting. When Doyle and friends returned to the mountain later that month to make another film, Hummel cut them off, barring them from filming without first obtaining a $100 special-use permit 30 days in advance, along with a $2 million insurance bond.
Doyle and his counsel, Barbara Keshen at the of NHCLU, argue these requirements constitute a clear violation of the First Amendment. Co-council Jon Meyer stated: :
"The underlying activities are humorous, but the principle's important. 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."
We’ll keep you posted on what comes next. We hope the courts will rule in our favor and show that in America, free speech is more than an elusive myth.
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Barbara Keshen, NHCLU Staff Attorney filed this Amicus Brief in support of Green Mountain Realty. Click on the link below to read the brief.
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