A high school in New Jersey had its license revoked during a vote on Tuesday, ending a long-running saga that saw its owners defend a state order several times to stay closed during the coronavirus pandemic, according to multiple reports.
The Cammawr County Council in Camden County voted 5 to 1 to return Atilis Gym’s mercantile license after a hearing of hours that were arguments from lawyers on both sides, according to NJ.com. The decision came at the end of a month of stalemate between the owners of the gym and Gov. Phil Murphy on the importance of limiting the spread of the virus as the existence of local businesses.
“In a clear political move, the entire Democratic city council followed its instructions from Gov. Murphy to revoke our business license,” Ian Smith, one of the owners of the gym, said on Instagram after the hearing. “Zero evidence has been released to support the claim that @atilisgymbellmawr poses any threat to the public.”
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Smith, 33, vowed to reopen the gym in May with social distance measures in place, drawing a crowd of supporters gathering outside the facility to protest Murphy’s stay-at-home mandates – issued when New Jersey one of the hardest hit areas during the pandemic.
He told “Tucker Carlson Tonight” last month that he was “served citation after citation” and was fired by the local health department. Smith added that he and co-owner Frank Trumbetti, 51, were arrested July 27 after being held in contempt of court after refusing to leave the gym.
After they were apparently released, Smith posted a video on Saturday of the two removing a Christmas work barricade so they could access the gym that was on board by the health department.
The video contained a title that contained a definite message to the governor amid the month-long standoff between the two parties.
“You will not kick anyone [sic] our rights and you will not destroy our lives. We will not be back. Ever, “he said.” Please share this to indicate what lengths we need to go to simply earn a living for our families. “
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The story of the owners of the gymnasium became a symbol of the frustration of American business owners with authorities that continued to exist during the pandemic. The state insists that their behavior was affecting the health of residents and further action was needed.
A police officer gives co-owners of Atilis Gym Ian Smith, left, and Frank Trumbetti, center, calls outside their gym in Bellmawr, NJ, on Tuesday, May 19, 2020. remained during the COVID-19 pandemic Smith and Trumbetti were arrested on contempt of contempt. (AP photo / Matt Rourke, file)
“The alleged conduct of Atilis Gym is detrimental to an organized justice system, endangering the public health and safety of New Jerseyans, and should not be tolerated,” the State Attorney General’s Office had said, according to the paper. “It is clear that additional sanctions and relief are needed to compel Atilis Gyms to comply with the court’s order.”
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On Tuesday, Howard Long, the district attorney’s attorney, presented information about the nine pair of citations to the owners and asked the council what they could do.
“If you believe this business is unsafe for your Bellmawr residents and you believe laws have been written,” Long said, according to NJ.com. “You have the right … to revoke this license”
Smith’s attorney, John McCann, described some of the information provided at the hearing as “something from George Orwell.”
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The city council eventually voted to revoke the license after the number of citations and the arrest of the owners for defying a state executive order to keep their gym closed as part of the coronavirus pandemic response, the paper reported.
Fox News’ Yael Halon and Sam Dorman contributed to this report
