A federal judge on Wednesday ordered a jail in Washington, D.C. to shift “Q Shaman” and alleged Capitol riot participant Jacob Chansley to an all-organic diet, after Chansley’s weeklong refusal to eat nonorganic food — which he says is due to religious convictions and health concerns — caused him to lose more than 20 pounds.
Jacob Chansley speaks to passersby during the “Stop the Steal” rally on Jan. 6 in Washington, DC.
Key Facts
D.C. Circuit Court Judge Royce Lamberth ordered the D.C. Department of Corrections to offer Chansley a diet of organic food, granting an emergency motion filed by defense attorney Albert Watkins on Wednesday morning.
Watkins says nonorganic food conflicts with Chansley’s shamanistic religious beliefs, and he could suffer bodily harm if he tries to eat anything that isn’t organic.
Chansley was relocated to D.C. last week after federal authorities arrested him in Phoenix in early January, and since D.C.’s city-run jail declined to continue the Phoenix jail’s practice of feeding Chansley organic food, he has gone hungry for over a week.
In an interview with Forbes, Watkins said his client’s religious beliefs are clearly sincere because he was willing to fast for more than a week.
Crucial Quote
“Imagine going without food for nine-plus days,” Watkins told Forbes. “It is not up to a D.C. employee, a public servant with D.C. Department of Corrections, to reconfigure those faiths which are recognized by our government.”
Surprising Fact
Chansley’s refusal to eat nonorganic food also led to a prolonged fast in Phoenix last month. He didn’t eat for his first several days in federal custody, leading officials to agree to shift him to a special diet.
Key Background
Donning a horned helmet and fur, Chansley stormed into the U.S. Capitol building along with a crowd of former President Donald Trump’s supporters last month. Federal prosecutors took him into custody less than a week later, charging him with violent entry, disorderly conduct and several other crimes. Since then, Watkins has argued Chansley is nonviolent and religiously observant, suggesting he entered the Capitol because he thought he was following Trump’s instructions.
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