the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Bellmawr NJ , On July 27th posted on Atilis Gym, Bellmawr, NJ Facebook page, “Welcome to America 2020, where feeding your family and standing up for your Constitutional rights is illegal. Governor Murphy flexing his little tyrant muscles finally – only took him 70 days. Officers from the county sheriffs entered the premises without a warrant or adhering to the signage posted on the door requesting they call first. They took Frank and I away and boarded up our private place of business. This is gonna be fun in court. If this doesn’t alarm you, you’re part of the problem. Please share and repost, let’s make these idiots answer for their power trip.”
On July 30th posted on Atilis Gym, Bellmawr, NJ Facebook page,, “Frank and I will be reopening Atilis after being arrested and physically locked out of the building from the second time. We are reorganized as a PMA and will be pushing back against these oppressive lockdown measures.If you can join us in support this Saturday, it is greatly appreciated. This is day 136 of the 14 days that Murphy asked us to stay closed and he crushed small businesses around the state and trampled on our Constitutional rights. Please share and get the word out. Every little bit of help counts. Thank you all.”
From Fox News: The owners of Atilis gym in Bellmawr reopened on Saturday morning by kicking down the wooden barricades authorities used to block their entrance amid coronavirus restrictions.
Co-owner Ian Smith posted a video of himself and his business partner, Frank Trumbetti, kicking the barriers and entering as a crowd cheers their decision. The dramatic display indicated that the months-long standoff between Gov. Phil Murphy and the gym owners weren’t finished.
The Philadelphia Inquirer offered this take, “Owners of the Atilis Gym in Bellmawr kicked down the plywood boards covering their business’ doorway on Saturday morning and ushered in dozens of clients for workouts, the latest move in a monthslong standoff with government officials over New Jersey’s coronavirus-related restrictions.
Owners Ian Smith and Frank Trumbetti allowed 40 to 50 customers to work out in the gym at once, which Smith said was less than 25% of the building’s capacity. As customers waited in line Saturday morning, many said they couldn’t wait to get back to their regular workouts.
In May, a judge ordered Atilis Gym to close its doors after the Camden County fitness facility reopened last week in defiance of the state’s coronavirus shutdown orders.”
Go do some push-ups in the basement for forsakes…..
The owner is a convicted felon looking for some attention. Give me a a break.
The owner is a hero who will fight for his freedoms, unlike most in this village…
Good man. Say no to a tyrant! I know that many will disagree, fearing for their health. But, consider this – what is the alternative? Keep our lives on hold till everyone has a vaccine? For all we know, our fascist leaders will extend their unconstitutional power beyond on one pretext or another. For example, social justice is now becoming a public health issue. Who’s to say Murphy won’t use that to penalize some businesses and promote others? Common, people, wake up. This is not just a public health emergency. This is a health and a constructional and economic emergency! Our dictators are counting on us to ignore the other 2 emergencies while we shelter in place. And they use it to enrich and entrench themselves while you are distracted.
It is better to cower in fear and live
rather than be free and risk injury or death.
…at least that’s what they taught me in school.
No one cares