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Did you hear about the NJ Gym that refused to close for c0vid?
(Thread) https://twitter.com/iansmithfitness/status/1384606922096189443?s=20
(Thread) https://twitter.com/iansmithfitness/status/1384606922096189443?s=20
The short version is that they defied lockdown orders, were fined $1.2 million, the owners went to jail, and now they’re in a legal battle.
If that sounds interesting, let’s go through the whole story…
If that sounds interesting, let’s go through the whole story…
We all know how it began: c0vid-19 struck the world.
It took time for it to spread from country to country, but by March 11th, 2020, the WHO declared c0vid a P@ndemic, and the US declared a National Emergency on March 13th.
It took time for it to spread from country to country, but by March 11th, 2020, the WHO declared c0vid a P@ndemic, and the US declared a National Emergency on March 13th.
First, the travel bans came.
Then, the stay-at-home orders were issued.
Finally, President signed the CARES Act into law offering 2 trillion in aid.
Then, the stay-at-home orders were issued.
Finally, President signed the CARES Act into law offering 2 trillion in aid.
c0vid cases were going up and down around the country as states balanced the virus’s danger vs. shutting down and opening businesses.
Not every business took so kindly to this.
The Atilis Gym ( @TheAtilisGym ) in Bellmawr, NJ, was one of these businesses.
Not every business took so kindly to this.
The Atilis Gym ( @TheAtilisGym ) in Bellmawr, NJ, was one of these businesses.
On March 16th, The Atilis Gym did shut down along with all the other businesses deemed “non-essential.”
The gym owners were initially sheltered in place as they watched the government fumbled around trying to create relief packages for small businesses.
The gym owners were initially sheltered in place as they watched the government fumbled around trying to create relief packages for small businesses.
These packages were non-existent or fell short of being of any true relief.
On May 11th, the owner of Atilis Gym, Ian Smith ( @iansmithfitness ), announced on his Instagram that the gym would be reopening on May 18th, despite the continuing stay-at-home orders.
On May 11th, the owner of Atilis Gym, Ian Smith ( @iansmithfitness ), announced on his Instagram that the gym would be reopening on May 18th, despite the continuing stay-at-home orders.
In the video, Smith said the following quotes:
1. “The data shows that we are no longer in danger of overrunning our healthcare system.”
2. “Many politicians are not following their own stay-at-home orders, taking a ‘Do as I say, but not as I do.’ approach to government.”
1. “The data shows that we are no longer in danger of overrunning our healthcare system.”
2. “Many politicians are not following their own stay-at-home orders, taking a ‘Do as I say, but not as I do.’ approach to government.”
3. “Big corporations, like Lowes, have been allowed to stay in business while the small hardware stores have had to close down. It’s time for the power grab to end.”
4. “If politicians can operate freely, go to the gym, and get haircuts safely, then free citizens can do all those things safely as well, and we intend to prove that.”
Smith also said that he rejects the premise of “essential” and “non-essential” businesses, noted that they will be taking proper precautions for their members’ health, and encouraged members to work with them to support the changes.
By December, the gym had been issued over 60 citations (some criminal) and a total of 1.2 million dollars in fines.
The owners were arrested, then released from prison.
The owners were arrested, then released from prison.
The government locked their doors with chains, but they cut the chains.
The government revoked their license, but they still have had 84,000 visits to the gym.
They have never mandated masks and never will.
Smith even posted a video that went viral famously saying:
The government revoked their license, but they still have had 84,000 visits to the gym.
They have never mandated masks and never will.
Smith even posted a video that went viral famously saying:
“Free men don’t ask permission. Or for forgiveness.”
On March 3rd, in the most recent gym-related Instagram post by Smith, he says the gym has had 138,953 visitors with no c0vid outbreaks.
On March 3rd, in the most recent gym-related Instagram post by Smith, he says the gym has had 138,953 visitors with no c0vid outbreaks.
While all of this was happening, nursing homes and other facilities were spiraling out of control with new cases and deaths.
Many have suggested that the government should focus on protecting the vulnerable, not closing local businesses.
Many have suggested that the government should focus on protecting the vulnerable, not closing local businesses.
Ian Smith says that Gov. Murphy has taken $137,000 out of their bank account to collect the fines issued, even though they are in the middle of ongoing litigation with the State.
All the money taken was funds donated to the gym for operations and legal defense.
All the money taken was funds donated to the gym for operations and legal defense.
Starting on April 1st of last year, they quit charging membership fees and now survive on donated funds and t-shirt sales alone.
To prevent Gov. Murphy from taking any more money, the gym has paid all of its bills in advance so that their account sits EMPTY.
To prevent Gov. Murphy from taking any more money, the gym has paid all of its bills in advance so that their account sits EMPTY.
They plan to continue to do this with any new funds that come in.
This is a true “David vs Goliath” situation, and Atilis Gym isn’t going down without a fight.
So, what’s happening now?
The gym is still open, legal battles rage, and they continue to get fined every single day
This is a true “David vs Goliath” situation, and Atilis Gym isn’t going down without a fight.
So, what’s happening now?
The gym is still open, legal battles rage, and they continue to get fined every single day
P.S. I just wanted to cover this story without any political affiliation to any side.
But, I do want a small business to win.
It's up to the audience if they consider it worth a share or retweet.
But, I do want a small business to win.
It's up to the audience if they consider it worth a share or retweet.
