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Atilis Gym in New Jersey set to reopen despite stay-at-home order

By
Amanda Woods
Published May 18, 2020
Updated May 18, 2020, 11:36 a.m. ET

A New Jersey gym opened its doors Monday in defiance of Gov. Phil Murphy’s stay-at-home orders — as scores of supporters gathered outside and cheered.

Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, forced to shutter in March amid the coronavirus crisis, allowed members inside for the first time in two months.

More than 200 people, some waving flags and signs with the messages, “Open NJ Now” and “Small Businesses are Essential,” showed up in support, according to a tweet by Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Ellie Rushing.

“USA! USA!” people cheered, many filming on their phones, as the doors opened, according to a video posted by WPVI-TV reporter Katherine Scott.

Co-owner Ian Smith told Scott the reopening is “going great” so far.

“We’ll see, though,” he said. “We’ll see the reaction of law enforcement, we’ll see the reaction of Gov. Murphy, we’re here being civilly disobedient, being peaceful, operating a business as it should be in business.”

Smith announced plans to reopen in videos posted to Facebook last week.

“We reject the premise of essential and non-essential businesses,” Smith said in one video. “What is essential is while taking proper precautions to protect ourselves and those around us, that all businesses and public spaces should remain open. It is what is best for our physical and mental health, as well as what is best for the economic health of our nation.”

The forced closure, Smith claims, is a “power grab” that violates citizens’ constitutional rights.

About a dozen early birds showed up in the gym’s parking lot hours before the official opening at 8 a.m., KYW-TV reported.

Owners, however, posted a list of safety protocols that gym-goers must follow.

The facility will only be open to existing members and will operate at 20 percent capacity. Temperatures will be taken at the door and anyone at 100.4 degrees or above will be turned away.

Masks must be worn unless members are in the middle of lifting weights.

Owners asked for a big show of support in the parking lot Monday morning.

But the decision to reopen is about more than just Atilis Gym, co-owner Frank Trumbetti said in another video.

“We are proposing an organized peaceful reopening of our state, not just our business,” he said. “We truly believe that if we don’t do this, in the end, we’ll have zero rights and no say in what happens‪.”‬

Meanwhile, in a statement last week, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office warned that anyone who patronizes a business in violation of an executive order could face a disorderly persons charge, which could land them a $1,000 fine and up to six months behind bars.

The prosecutor’s office, and the Bellmawr Police Department, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Police were on scene, according to local reports.

Murphy said during a press conference last week he was aware of the gym, according to the local station.

“They’re out of compliance and that’s not going to be tolerated,” the governor said.