BELLMAWR, New Jersey – A South Jersey gym that has challenged Gov. Phil Murphy’s space order is now a collector’s position for the Republican who challenges Sen. Cory Booker in the November election.
Ian Smith, co-owner of Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, said in a social media post Friday that the gym would be a political rally and a volunteer area for Rik Mehta, effective immediately.
It will not be open to be used as a gym. Smith said other people will only be allowed to enter the gym if they sign up for the campaign.
Bellmawr Township recently revoked Smith and Trumbetti’s advertising license for fighting Murphy’s order to remain closed amid the coronavirus pandemic. They were also fined $130,000 across the state.
“Today, I am proud to announce that the owners of The Atilis Gymnasium, Ian Smith and Frank Trumbetti, have joined the Finance Committee of the Rik Mehta Campaign for the United States Senate,” Mehta said in a statement. “From now on, our crusade will begin organizing daily political rallies through members volunteering for our crusade at the Atilis Gym in Bellmawr. My crusade is about supporting tough staff in New Jersey and saving the small businesses that are the backbone of our economy, here in New Jersey and in our wonderful country Our constitutional rights are sacred to all Americans and elected officials to whom the Bill of Rights is above its payment point, degrading the American dream.
The state attorney general’s workplace and the governor’s workplace did not comment on development. A representative of the municipality of Bellmawr will not be held on Monday morning. A representative of the Mehta crusade did not without delay for further comment on Monday morning.
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“This isn’t a political party, it’s about supporting someone who supports our right to keep us healthy,” Smith said on the gym’s Facebook page. “We inspire all our visitors to register and volunteer for the Rik Mehta Senate crusade in our direction.”
Smith and Trumbetti are also asking for donations to pay the fines they were charged for reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Because of the heavy fines imposed on us, we ask visitors to make a donation to help us in our fight for all our rights, especially our First Amendment rights and their rights to remain healthy in the face of this pandemic,” they said.
They face $130,000 state fines, as well as another $15,497.76 consistent with the day the gym stays open. Read more here: NJ Fines to Gym Owners Who Challenged Murphy $130K: Officials
As a component of this decision, the state allowed a new barricade to be built at the front of the facility. The owners have already damaged a wooden barricade that has been erected to prevent them from entering the gym. Read more here: New Jersey gym owners kick doors and reopen after defiance arrest
On 11 August, Bellmawr Borough Council revoked its licence. Read more here: NJ Town cancels murphy’s order-challenged gym license
Bellmawr City Council revoked its licenses after Smith and Trumbetti were arrested on July 27 while continuing to run their gym despite a High Court judge locating the gym in contempt, according to Camden County Interim Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer. Read more here: New Jersey gym owners reopen after violating Murphy order: Prosecutor
Smith and Trumbetti have argued that the state is interfering with their civil rights. In Mehta, they said they had discovered a best friend in their fight.
“Mehta is the only candidate for a position that has shown its support for our fight for the U.S. Constitution,” Trumbetti said. “Rik has shown me that his thing for us is not superficial. He is an identified public fitness expert who knows that our gym is a safe position to visit.
“We will continue to be a strong voice for those who have been silenced and treated unfairly through the top politicians,” Mehta said. “I’m side-by-side with Ian, Frank and all the committed small business owners who paint hard and just need a fair deal and I’ll continue to fight with them. Together, we’re going to make New Jersey a position to live, not leave.
The gym made headlines when it reopened in May, but was temporarily closed on court order the same week. At one point, the government put a lock on the door, which was then removed.
Since then, the state has stated that Atilis Gym operates beyond capacity limits and social estrangement, and following fitness and protection protocols issued through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The gym closed as a component of a state executive order for non-essential business in March. Reopened 3 times in a week in May defying order. The gym closed in state order after the third reopening. It then reopened for the fourth time, but was reopened by court order.
Smith and Trumbetti then filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the “draconian” orders of the shelters in the state place. Read more: South Jersey gym owners who defied Murphy’s order case trial
While filing their complaint, Smith and Trumbetti filed a request for reopening through a transitional restraining order, which he rejected by the same approval ruling on who to listen to the new application. Although the opinion issued a ruling on rejecting his request, the gym reopened. Read more here: Judge rejects the prohibition of transience for New Jersey gym owners
See in the report: NJ coronavirus, reopen updates: here’s what you want to know
This article was originally published in the Gloucester Township patch