Business owners across the Garden State have decided to reopen their shops in defiance of stay-at-home orders implemented by New Jersey’s Democrat governor.
Ian Smith and Frank Trumbetti, the owners of the Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, were issued a court summons for violating the governor’s order.
LISTEN LIVE TO THE TODD STARNES SHOW BY CLICKING HERE.
They said they plan to keep their gym open even in the face of hundreds of dollars in fines as well as possible jail time.
“We’re ready for whatever consequences come our way,” Smith told Fox News Channel. “We’re standing up for what we believe to be right.”
Hundreds of supporters turned out waving American flags and vowing to stand alongside the owners.
“I’ve watched people lose their jobs,” Smith told the television network. “We’re ready to take action ourselves, and we have thought long and hard about it.”
Gov. Phil Murphy to NJ.com that he was not going to be deterred by the freedom-loving business owners.
“I’m not concerned it will spiral out of control, and we will take action,” he said. “If you show up at that gym again tomorrow, there’s going to be a different reality than showing up today. These aren’t just words. We’ve got to enforce this, but I also don’t want to start World War III.”
Judge Andrew Napolitano told Fox News that the governor’s orders are illegal.
“They’re unconstitutional, they violate the bill of rights, they interfere with our freedom of religion, our freedom of travel, our right to privacy, our freedom of speech, our freedom of assembly. I could just go right down the line,” he said.
The judge went on to call Smith an “American hero and a national treasure.