A group of prisoners in New York will be allowed to watch Monday’s total solar eclipse after suing the state Department of Corrections for its decision to lock down the prison during the celestial event.
Six people at the Woodbourne Correctional Facility in the south New York state will be allowed to view the solar eclipse in outer space “in accordance with their sincere religious beliefs,” according to a statement from the group’s lawyers.
“We are pleased that, in response to our religious discrimination lawsuit, New York State has entered into a binding settlement agreement that will allow our six clients to view the eclipse in accordance with their sincere religious beliefs,” said attorney Christopher McArdle, who represent the plaintiffs, said in a statement to the Washington Post.
The correctional department will also provide protective eyewear to wear during the blackout.
The group argued that the nationwide decision to close the prison violated their constitutional rights. The New York Department of Corrections planned to lock down the prison during the blackout for security reasons.
The six plaintiffs identify with various religious backgrounds, including Christianity, Islam, atheism and Santería.
In a lawsuit filed last week in federal court in New York state, the group argued that the solar eclipse was a “rare, natural phenomenon with great religious significance to many,” according to the complaint.
The lawsuit cited passages from the Bible describing a blackout during Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and a similar event during a special call to prayer in Islam.
A corrections department spokesman confirmed the decision, noting that prison officials had already considered religious exemption requests before the lawsuit was filed.
The corrections department added that other religious exemptions were still being considered, but did not say how many.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs say that this latest case may allow other people to see this celestial phenomenon.
Monday’s solar eclipse will be the first in the US since August 21, 2017. The next total solar eclipse will not be until 2044.
