A gym in New Jersey is defying the Democratic governor’s stay-at-home order and is reopening on Monday.
Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, outside Philadelphia, opened its doors with supporters crowding outside, cheering the move.
Doors of Atilis Gym in Bellmawr now open to cheers, in defiance of state orders. pic.twitter.com/BtuMVpg5hP
— Katherine Scott (@KScott6abc) May 18, 2020
Spoke to co-owner Ian Smith today after Atilis Gym in Bellmawr opened, defying state order. Gym still operating, one hour after opening doors. pic.twitter.com/ZoSdoimLpO
— Katherine Scott (@KScott6abc) May 18, 2020
“We truly believe that if we don’t do this, in the end, we will have zero rights and no say in what happens,” said Frank Trumbetti, the co-owner of the gym.
“The government has failed at protecting our rights and failing at protecting our health. We are proposing an organized, peaceful reopening of the state, not just our business,” Trumbetti said in a video about the decision to reopen.
Police officers also told the gym owners that they were “formally” in violation of the governor’s stay-at-home order.
“HAVE A GOOD DAY”: Police in Camden County told the owners of a New Jersey gym that reopened this morning that they were “formally” in violation of the state’s shutdown order. “On that note, have a good day. Everybody be safe.”
MORE: https://t.co/3Z7cCCYbKX pic.twitter.com/hdV14hb475
— FOX 29 (@FOX29philly) May 18, 2020
Gov. Phil Murphy is slowly reopening the state, signing an executive order effective on Monday that allows nonessential construction work to resume and curbside pickup for nonessential retail businesses to begin. New Jersey beaches will also reopen with social distancing guidelines in time for Memorial Day this coming weekend.
“Over the past eight weeks, New Jerseyans have taken our stay-at-home order seriously and have created the conditions that make this next phase possible. The steps we are taking allow for important standards of social distancing to continue with the return of safe, responsible business operations,” Murphy said in a statement.
