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Total solar eclipse in Argentina in 2020 (symbolic image)
Photo: Natacha Pisarenko/dpa
Six inmates at a New York state prison are suing the state corrections department in order to be able to see the total solar eclipse next Monday. The order to remain in her cell during the event violated her fundamental right to live out her faith, the lawsuit says. The solar eclipse is therefore a “religiously significant event” in which they want to take part.
The six plaintiffs are incarcerated in Woodbourne. Among them is a Baptist, a Muslim, an Adventist, two members of the Santería religion - and an atheist.
In their lawsuit, they point out that both after the crucifixion of Jesus and after the death of the prophet Mohammed's son, the respective religious texts described an event that resembled a solar eclipse. The upcoming solar eclipse therefore offers an opportunity for believers to “come together, celebrate, and pray,” the lawsuit says.
According to the lawsuit, one of the plaintiffs - the atheist - had already received permission to view the solar eclipse. However, it was then decided for all prisons in the state that the same rules would apply on the day of the solar eclipse as on a holiday: inmates must remain in their cells between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. The solar eclipse is expected to be visible in New York around 3:15 p.m.
After the atheist was given permission, the other five plaintiffs also asked to be allowed to view the darkness, citing religious motives. However, her request was rejected. They then decided to sue.
During a solar eclipse, the moon stands between the - much larger - sun and the earth. The moon's shadow falls on a part of the earth and darkens it for a few minutes. It therefore looks as if the moon is covering the sun. During a total solar eclipse, which will now be visible in parts of the United States on April 8th, it will appear as if the moon completely obscures the sun.
has/AP