Six incarcerated violent felons in New York are suing for the right to view next week’s total solar eclipse despite a statewide prison lockdown, citing the event’s “religious significance” is happening.
The inmates at Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Woodbourne (Baptists, Muslims, Seventh-day Adventists, two Santeria practitioners, and one atheist) believe that prohibiting stargazing is constitutionally prohibited. Alleges that it violates the rights of
According to the complaint filed last Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, each of them “has sincerely believed that April’s solar eclipse is a religious event that they must witness and reflect on in order to protect their faith.” expressed his religious beliefs.”
“Solar eclipses are rare natural phenomena that have significant religious significance for many people,” the lawsuit filed against the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) and its executives states.
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Six inmates at New York State’s Woodbourne Correctional Facility claim that locking down prisons across the state during the April 8 total solar eclipse violates their constitutional right to practice their religion. (St. Petersburg)
Acting DOC Secretary Daniel Martucello III issued a directive to all 44 prisons in the state, saying, “All inmates are [would] Stay at home during the eclipse on April 8th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, except for emergencies.
Approximately 24 prisons in New York will be in total darkness, with the moon completely blocking the path of the sun, and visitors will be prohibited on that day.
Inmate Jeremy Zielinski was initially given permission to view the eclipse, but that permission was revoked when the lockdown was announced last month, he said.
Zielinski, an atheist, has been incarcerated at Woodbourne since September 2016 on charges of first-degree rape, according to DOC records. Previously, he spent four years at Coxsackie Correctional Facility for promoting a sexual performance by a child, attempting to distribute obscene material to a minor and attempting to jump bail.
The suit says solar eclipses are important to his faith because the atheist “celebrates science and reason.”
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A spokesperson for the New York State Department of Corrections said inmates who can view the event from their inmates will be provided with eclipse viewing glasses to protect their eyes, and the lockdown will be extended to both inmates and staff. He said that the purpose is to protect.
”[Zielinski] He truly believes that observing solar eclipses in the presence of people who sincerely believe in their religious beliefs is a vital part of practicing their faith…because the common Because bringing people together to celebrate humanity and encourage people to find common ground is a central aspect of atheism. ground,” the document states.
Last month, the Woodbourne facility granted Mr Zielinski’s request to recognize atheism as a state religion and initially agreed to provide him with safety glasses to watch the event, but revoked that privilege when lockdown orders were issued. Ta.
An Islamic hadith about the death of Muhammad’s son describes an event that is believed to be a solar eclipse. In the book, certain prayers are told that Muslims should recite when they encounter the path of a solar eclipse.
Therefore, Jean Desmaras argues that his constitutional rights would be violated if he were not allowed to view the eclipse.
Desmarat is serving a minimum sentence of 25 years for second-degree murder, according to Department of Corrections records.
According to court documents, Desmarat strangled Franz St. Lott to death with his bare hands in a motel room in June 2002, leaving the man’s body with a black bag over his head and feet. . Torn banknotes were found on St. Lott’s body. According to court documents, Desmarat told hotel staff who rushed to the room after hearing the screams that he owed money to St. Lott.
“Solar eclipses are rare natural phenomena that have great religious significance for many people.”
David Hay, who is being held on charges of first-degree manslaughter, is a certified Seventh-day Adventist and has been active since 2005, according to the complaint. He is said to have been a member of the Crusades.
The Bible passage detailing the “darkness of all the earth” at the time of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion has been interpreted by many Christians as a solar eclipse.
According to the complaint, observing a solar eclipse is “ [Haigh’s] It is a faith that observes a solar eclipse and thinks about what it believes to be the same phenomenon that Jesus Christ experienced before his death. ”
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In an interview with news outlet Hell Gate, Haig explained how meaningful this celestial event was to him, saying: “It will be 20 years before an opportunity like this exists again.” he said. “I don’t think anyone should be denied this opportunity just because they’re incarcerated, especially when this eclipse is scheduled to occur during normal outdoor recreation hours.”
Baptist Travis Hudson has similar feelings about the importance of the eclipse, according to the complaint. He was found guilty of first degree sexual conduct with a child.
Two of the inmates named in the lawsuit, Bruce Moses and Oscar Nunez, practice Santería, a faith that blends Catholicism and African traditions. According to the complaint, Moses wanted to make a spiritual offering during the event, and Nunez wanted “to pray and chant blessings to the moon and sun during the meeting.”
Moses was found guilty of attempted second-degree assault, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and third-degree drug possession. Nunez is in jail on a charge of attempted second-degree murder and has a prior conviction for first-degree robbery.
“Religious requests for solar eclipse viewing are currently under review.”
The last time the U.S. saw a total solar eclipse was in 2017, but the next total solar eclipse in the U.S. won’t be until 2044. All six inmates are scheduled to be eligible for parole by 2029, according to state records.
A DOCCS spokesperson told FOX News Digital that the lockdown is intended to “ensure the safety” of prisoners and staff, and that all inmates in their cells and assigned work areas are fully exposed. He said eclipse safety glasses will be distributed to prisoners. See the event from inside.
“Religious requirements related to viewing the solar eclipse are currently under consideration,” a spokesperson said on Tuesday.
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Lawyers with the New York State Attorney General’s Office and representatives of Woodbourne inmates did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the application.
