Six inmates at a New York state prison will be allowed to watch next week’s total solar eclipse after suing the Department of Corrections over the decision to lock down the facility during the rare event.
Inmates Jeremy Zielinski, Travis Hudson, Bruce Moses, Oscar Nunez, Jean-Marc Desmarat and David Haye have filed a federal lawsuit claiming the lockdown decision violates their religious rights. filed a lawsuit.
The suit states that solar eclipses are events of religious significance and that they are “recognized by various religions as special events that warrant gathering, celebration, worship, and prayer.”
On Thursday, a settlement was reached with the state Department of Corrections that would allow inmates to watch the event.
New York inmates sue Department of Corrections to watch solar eclipse amid planned prison lockdown
The photo above shows the path of the sun during a total solar eclipse near Redmond, Oregon, on August 21, 2017. The next total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
The plaintiffs’ law firm, Alston & Bird, filed for voluntary suspension on Thursday following the settlement.
“We are pleased that New York State has entered into a binding settlement agreement in response to our lawsuit alleging religious discrimination,” said Christopher. “You will be able to view the eclipse according to your religious beliefs,” Christopher said in a statement. Alston & Bird partner L. McArdle read Thursday.
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All six inmates involved in the case are housed at Woodbourne Correctional Facility, about 110 miles north of New York City. Their religious beliefs and the crimes they are serving vary.
Six New York state inmates who filed a lawsuit against the state Department of Corrections over the state’s decision to lock down their prisons during the April 8 solar eclipse will be able to watch the event after a settlement is reached. (Getty)
Zielinski, 40, is an atheist convicted of first-degree rape, according to New York’s inmate database. He also has previous convictions for promoting child sex acts and attempting to disseminate obscene material about minors.
Hudson, 50, is a Baptist who was convicted of child sex acts.
Moses, 50, is serving time for second-degree assault, possession of a weapon and possession of a controlled substance. Nunez, 49, was found guilty of attempted second-degree murder. Both of them practice Santeria.
Mr. Desmarat, 53, a Muslim, was jailed on a charge of second-degree murder, and Mr. Haig, 49, a Seventh-day Adventist, was found guilty of first-degree manslaughter.
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The lockdown decision that prompted the lawsuit was issued in March and stated that all prisons in New York state would operate on a holiday schedule on April 8 due to the solar eclipse.
Due to the total solar eclipse, New York prisons will operate on a holiday schedule on April 8th. (St. Petersburg)
After April 8th, solar eclipse It will happen in 2044.
Louis Casiano of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
