Lockdown opponent kicks off congressional campaign
Ian Smith, co-owner of Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, New Jersey Thursday announced he will be running for Congress to represent New Jersey’s third congressional district. Smith is running against Democrat incumbent Andy Kim, who was elected in 2018.
Smith grabbed headlines in 2020 when he and Atilis Gym co-owner Frank Trumbetti defied the lockdowns imposed by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy for being a “non-essential business”. Despite obesity being the leading cause of COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths, Murphy decreed that all gyms close.
But when Smith and Trumbetti refused, they were arrested. The state also imposed citations and heavy fines of $15,000 a day, but the gym remained open.
Smith also had his business license revoked by the Borough Council of Bellmawr and the State of New Jersey seized $173,000 that the gym had raised for legal defense.
Still, the gym remained open.
At one point, Smith physically removed the doors of the gym so that the authorities could not lock him out.
“We got one year probation for the crime of taking our doors off to prevent government goons from locking us out of our gym,” tweeted Smith.
According to Smith, Atilis Gym has received over $1.2 million in fines but has no plan to pay them.
The State of New Jersey continues to prosecute Smith and Trumbetti for defying the lockdown despite a recent study from Johns Hopkins University showing that lockdowns only prevent .2% of deaths and inflict "enormous economic and social costs”.
The gym has so far not had a single COVID-19 case, despite being visited over 340,000 times.
Smith now intends to fight the COVID-19 mandates within Congress.
“I will fight [COVID-19] mandates at the federal level as a congressman, and I will use my bully pulpit in Congress at the state and local level to help my constituents fight back,” Smith said. “We must end mandates and embrace medical freedom.”
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A post shared by Ian Smith (@iansmithfitness)
In an Instagram post announcing his bid for Congress, Smith wrote:
“People, not politicians. For too long, good people have not gotten involved in politics — whether that is because the establishment won’t open the door for them or they don’t want to participate in the foul world of politics. More than anything, this needs to change. And I will be a part of that change.”
He added, “Our public officials have forgotten who they work for. Working in politics is about SERVICE, not about profit. It’s not a career, it’s a duty. Together we are going to change the culture of politics. More ordinary citizens. Less career politicians. It starts in 2022.”
Atilis Gym is free and open to the public.
