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Ian Smith, co-owner of Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, New Jersey, has achieved a monumental victory. A New Jersey court has dismissed all 80 charges against him, charges that stemmed from his bold decision to reopen his gym in direct defiance of Democrat Governor Phil Murphy’s tyrannical COVID-19 lockdown orders. The saga began in May 2020, when Smith reopened Atilis Gym, challenging the Murphy administration’s mandates, which he and his supporters argue are unconstitutional and detrimental to small businesses. The confrontation escalated in July 2020 when police officers forcefully arrested Smith after he continually violated the state’s shutdown orders. A swarm of police officers burst through the door of Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, New Jersey arrested the owners for violating Governor Murphy’s authoritarian shutdown order. “Well, this was a first,” Dowlen said in a Facebook post. “I stayed the night in the gym writing, my book clients Ian & Frank were just waking up, I’m gathering my computer & notebooks, just waiting for the guys to come out for a few final questions, and then a SWARM of Camden County Sheriffs & local Bellmawr police (with K-9 units waiting in a vehicle) come bursting thru the door….to me, sitting there, writing, by myself. First & foremost, the law enforcement officers were polite & respectful. Look for my video footage on national channels. And tonight/this morning, I am writing this new book chapter right now!!!” WATCH: The state’s aggressive response did not end with the arrest. In a controversial move, Governor Murphy and his administration seized $165,000 from the gym’s accounts—funds that Smith claims were amassed through donations and apparel sales to support the gym’s legal battles. This act was a punitive strike meant to cripple the gym financially and serve as a stern warning to others who might consider similar defiance. “Governor Phil Murphy seized 100% of our assets today – $165k, all of which came from donations and apparel sales. This is done in the middle of ongoing litigation defending ourselves against these fines, our 80 charges, the revocation of our business license, and the unconstitutional health department shutdown. This was never about protection, it was always about control,” said Smith in a video statement in January 2021. On Saturday, Smith announced that the court dropped all charges with prejudice. This means the state is utterly barred from refiling these charges against Smith and Atilis Gym, signaling a definitive victory for the small business owner and a stinging rebuke of Gov. Murphy’s authoritarian tactics. Smith did not mince words, directly challenging Governor Murphy with a phrase that has since gone viral: “Suck my d—k Phil Murphy.” Smith released the following statement on X: https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/05/new-jersey-court-throws-80-charges-against-brave/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-jersey-court-throws-80-charges-against-brave

The SCOTUS does not answer the call of Maryland gun owners. Supreme Court Turns Away Challenge on So-Called 'Assault Weapons' Ban (townhall.com)