According to ABC News inmates at a New York prison have initiated legal action following the announcement of a lockdown by the state’s Department of Corrections, which would prevent them from witnessing the upcoming total solar eclipse.
The six individuals, currently detained at Woodbourne Correctional Facility located approximately two hours north of New York City, have raised concerns in their lawsuit regarding the infringement of their constitutional religious rights due to the restriction from viewing the rare celestial event.
The plaintiffs represent a diverse array of religious affiliations, including a Muslim, a Baptist, a Seventh-Day Adventist, two practitioners of Santería, and one atheist.
Despite their differing beliefs, all assert a deeply held conviction that the solar eclipse in April holds religious significance that is integral to their spiritual practices, as outlined in the complaint.
The solar eclipse, which will take place Monday afternoon, was last seen in the U.S. in 2017 and one won’t be visible in the country again until 2044.
“A solar eclipse is a rare, natural phenomenon with great religious significance to many,” it states, noting the specific relevance of the event to the inmates’ varying faiths.
Jeremy Zielinski, one of the incarcerated individuals, had initially sought and obtained official authorization to observe the eclipse, citing its symbolic importance to him as an atheist, representing “science and reason,” as outlined in the lawsuit.
However, following the announcement of the lockdown, Zielinski alleges that his authorization was rescinded.
Mr. Zielinski firmly believes that observing the solar eclipse with people of different faiths is crucial to practicing his own faith because it is a central aspect of atheism to celebrate common humanity and bring people together to encourage people to find common ground,” the complaint states.
The Seventh-Day Adventist, David Haigh, told New York news outlet Hell Gate how meaningful it would be for him to see the eclipse.
“It will be 20 years before another opportunity like this exists,” he said. “I don’t believe that just because I am incarcerated that I should be denied this opportunity, especially when this eclipse is scheduled to happen during normal outside recreation time.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Corrections told ABC News they do not comment on pending litigation, but said the lockdown was intended to “ensure the safety” of inmates and prison staff.
Eclipse safety glasses will still be distributed for those at prisons in the path of totality “in the event they will be able to view the eclipse from their assigned work location or housing units,” the spokesperson said.
“Religious requests related to viewing the eclipse are currently under review,” he added.
