South Jersey Gym Reopens In Defiance Of Gov. Murphy's Orders

BELLMAWR, NJ — The parking lot of a South Jersey gym that reopened in defiance of Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive orders was filled with people chanting, carrying signs and waving American flags Monday morning.

The gym reopened in spite of the orders and comments from the governor last week that the reopening "would not be tolerated." Local police were on the scene during the day. Just before 11 a.m., the Bellmawr police chief told the gathered crowd and the gym owners they were formally in violation of the executive order.

"We are and were only here for everybody’s safety today," Bellmawr Police Chief William Walsh told the crowd just before 11 a.m. "We planned for the worst, hoped for the best, and it seems like that’s what we have out here today. Formally, you are all in violation of the executive order. On that note, have a good day, everybody be safe."

A spokesperson for the Bellmawr Police Department wasn't immediately available for further comment Monday morning. A spokesperson for the New Jersey State Police wasn't immediately available for comment. A spokesperson for the Attorney General's Office wasn't immediately available for comment.

An occasional live video feed posted on the Reopen NJ Facebook page shows a large crowd outside Atili’s Gym in Bellmawr showing support for owner Ian Smith, who announced last week that his gym would reopen in spite of an executive order calling for all non-essential businesses to remain closed except for curbside pickup.

People in the crowd also took video and posted on Twitter.

On Monday morning, Smith told 6 ABC "it was going great." "We'll see the reaction of law enforcement, we'll see the reaction of Gov. Murphy. We're here being civilly disobedient, operating a business as we should be."

The crowd broke out into chants of “We are people,” “Freedom” and USA” at various points throughout the gathering. Protesters wore shirts calling Murphy a “tyrant,” while a sign that appeared to be set up by the owners outside the gym read, “Let’s work together Mr. Murphy. Together we can do this.”

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After Smith announced the gym would be reopening, Murphy had said Smith was “out of compliance” and his actions “would not be tolerated.” Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus

Smith had previously told Tucker Carlson on national television that if the state shut them down, they would just reopen. Read more here: South Jersey Gym To Reopen In Defiance Of Coronavirus Orders

Smith said the gym will reopen for members only and will take certain safety precautions:

• Capacity will be limited to 20 percent capacity, meaning only 44 people permitted inside at once;
• Temperatures will be taken at the door, and anyone with a fever of 100.4 degrees or more will not be allowed inside;
• Members must fill out a health questionnaire before being allowed in;
• Members must wear face covers at all times, unless they are doing sets; and
• Workout bags must be closed and clean at all times.

Many non-essential businesses were forced to close on March 16, when Gov. Phil Murphy issued a stay-at-home order. Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus

He said they would be permitted to reopen for curbside pickup only on Monday.Read more here: Gov. Phil Murphy To Reopen NJ Businesses Amid Coronavirus

Patch will update this story with significant developments throughout the day.

Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know