"Inmates Win Lawsuit for Solar Eclipse Viewing Rights"

Inmates at a New York prison sued the state corrections department over a planned lockdown during the total solar eclipse, claiming it violated their religious rights. The plaintiffs, representing various religious backgrounds, were granted permission to view the eclipse in exchange for dismissing the lawsuit. The rare celestial event, which New York has not experienced since 1925, prompted security concerns and led to the cancellation or restriction of visitation at several facilities. The lawsuit argued that the eclipse held religious significance for the inmates, and the settlement agreement allowed them to view it in accordance with their sincerely held beliefs.