The owners of a New Jersey gym who famously defied orders to close the fitness center during the coronavirus pandemic have now been hit with more than $1.2 million in fines — but are staying open as a “F–k you” to Gov. Phil Murphy.
The Atilis Gym in Bellmawr became an anti-lockdown poster child in May after it repeatedly refused to adhere to the Garden State’s orders to close.
Now, the gym has had more than 60 citations totaling more than $1.2 million — despite not having a single infection linked to the business after more than 83,000 visits in that time, one of the co-owners, Ian Smith, told Fox News.
Smith sent a clear message to Murphy and other state officials in a video shared by TMZ in which he vowed to stay open — filmed without a mask in the middle of his packed gym.
“Gov. Murphy will see this video and fine us $15k for it,” reads one of a series of flashcards a smiling Smith holds up in the video.
“But … free men don’t ask permission. Or for forgiveness,” it continues.
“F–k you, Murphy,” a male voice then says loudly in the video after Smith walks off camera.
Every business needs to do this same thing, realizing that the Legislature has made no law punishable by any fine about this and a Governor cannot make laws or fines 11 months in to what turned out to be not an “emergency”. The U.S. is on track to have the SAME number of overall deaths in 2020 as every year since 2014 and no governor can change that to call any of this an “emergency”.
Wow only 2 citizens aka business owners who actually stand by their word and will fight and is fighting till they have no more means!!! Now that is fighting for your rights, and to be free! What is most sad is that it is ONLY 2 people in this country fighting back! (How is your closed businesses working out for you JOE and everyone else???? HUH??? How??? Such good slaves you all are!!!!)
This guy also killed a kid while drunk driving and went to prison for a few years. Probably not the best person to hold up as some patriotic hero.
His BIGGEST mistake was talking about “freedom”.
They HATE it when “We, the people” start reminding them that they are trying to RULE (not serve, RULE) free people.
No politician has the right, under law, to DECREE fines for violating his personal dictator edicts.
THAT is the purview of LEGISLATORS.
But, living your whole life on your knees and waiting for their “permission” to breathe and talk has a deleterious effect on the spirit, doesn’t it???
THEY will use guns to subdue any resistance.
It’s only right and reasonable that “We, the people” use guns to further the resistance.
Keep cheering.
You seem real well adjusted.