A gym owner has been facing fines totaling over $1 million after refusing to close down despite government orders.
As Ian Smith revealed, he will not implement coronavirus restrictions at his gym in Bellmawr, New Jersey, and will not shut down despite being ordered to do so multiple times.
According to the Atilis Gym owner, the coronavirus measures imposed amid the pandemic are hurting small businesses and don’t appear to be legal. In addition, the gym owner insisted there is no evidence to support the use of face masks in gyms.
“We have been arrested and have over 60 citations. Today we will pass over 84,000 visits to our facility,” Smith wrote on a series of paper sheets he proudly showed off.
“We don’t mandate masks, we never will. Gov. Murphy will see this video and fine us $15,000 for it. But free men don’t ask permission. Or for forgiveness. No science. No shutdown.”
As the business owner told Fox, he and his partner, Frank Trumbetti, have already been slapped with over 60 citations including criminal ones.
“He has arrested my partner and I, given us over 60 citations, some of them criminal. He fines us $15,497.76 per day for every day we’re in operation,” Smith said while referring to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
“Our fines are totaling over $1.2 million, but every single day, Frank and I open our gym.”
Speaking of the restrictions that the state has been facing, Smith went on to question the legality of lockdown as he suggested small businesses are suffering because of strict measures.
“I would go so far as to call it criminal. You are putting people out of business for good. You are making them reliant on big government. You are taking away their civil liberties under the guise of pretending like you care about public health,” he argued.
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Replaced!