May 18, 2020
Screenshot via Twitter/@dcheston88
Atilis Gym in Bellmawr reopened on Monday despite state orders for it to remain closed.
Atilis Gym owner Ian Smith followed through on his promise to defy New Jersey's order restricting non-essential businesses and reopened his gym in Bellmawr, Camden County, on Monday.
Smith was ticketed and issued a summons by Bellmawr police, and those who showed up to the gym were issued warnings by local officials. The state "will take action" against the non-compliant gym, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said on Monday afternoon.
"If you show up at that gym again tomorrow, there's going to be a different reality than showing up today," Murphy said. "These aren't just words. We got to enforce this."
According to reports, supporters began arriving gym as early 5:00 a.m. Monday.
Supporter just drove from Deptford, Gloucester County to hold up her sign and tell Atilis Gym’s owners and patrons in Bellmawr Camden County, “Ur Brave”. @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/gGHsQxnNN8
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) May 18, 2020
Bellmawr Police arrived at the scene public works crews just before 7:00 a.m. to block off the entrance of the shopping center where the gym is located and place barricades around the crowd that had gathered.
Bellmawr, NJ police have arrived at Atilis Gym with local public works crews blocking’s entrance to gym shopping center&putting up barricades around growing protest crowd supporting gyn owners and chanting “Re-Open New Jersey & @GovMurphy ‘s a Tyrant”. @fox29philly pic.twitter.com/zv5XIIUOQb
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) May 18, 2020
Local authorities said they were there to ensure the safety of those who had gathered,. And while the owners and the people in the crowd were told that they were in violation of Murphy's order, police did not stop the gym from opening, news that elicited a cheer from the crowd.
Bellmawr FOR Everybody #SmallBusinessIsEssential pic.twitter.com/PNoMAWgVdo
— Atilis Gym Bellmawr (@TheAtilisGym) May 18, 2020
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
Members entering the gym were lined up outside, standing six feet apart. They signed waivers, answered questionnaires and got their temperatures taken. Then they were given disinfectant and allowed to enter.
Breaking Update: Atilis Gym in Bellmawr opened as planned at 8am. Members separated in line outside by 6ft red X markings. They read&sign waiver&questionnaire, get temps taken, get personal disinfectant&allowed in. Bellmawr police keeping crowd peaceful @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/kIDHRHqREz
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) May 18, 2020
Here are some of the other scenes from the reopening of Atilis Gym on Monday.
More than 200 people have gathered outside Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, NJ in support of the owner’s decision to defy the governor’s orders and reopen the gym. It is set to open at 8 a.m. pic.twitter.com/f2n7RQRnO0
— Ellie Rushing (@EllieRushing) May 18, 2020
Ralliers are treating Atilis Gym owner Ian Smith like a local celebrity. People are chanting his name and taking selfies with him. pic.twitter.com/NIpUaR11oQ
— Ellie Rushing (@EllieRushing) May 18, 2020
Atilis Gym has reopen its facility and defying state orders. Protestors also are here to show displeasure. @NBCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/LdeUeeVgZz
— D.C. (@dcheston88) May 18, 2020
Despite the scene at Atilis Gym, Murphy is not concerned disobedience among business owners will become a trend, and he noted New Jerseyans have overwhelmingly complied with social distancing guidelines and the state's stay-at-home order and ban on all gatherings.
Smith had announced he would reopen his gym Monday during an interview with FOX News' Tucker Carlson last week.
As of Monday, New Jersey businesses are permitted to provide curbside pickup and delivery services. Customers will not be allowed inside stores and purchases must be done in advance by phone or online. Gyms, which were ordered to close on March 16, were not among those businesses permitted by Murphy to reopen.
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