Looks like East Atlanta Village, Ga. cops (and active members of the military) who are interested in getting fit is going to have to turn to another gym, after the owner of one particular fitness establishment put up a controversial sign that succinctly stated, “No Fucking Cops.”
Welp.
The owner of EAV Barbell Club, Jim Chambers, who is white, is unrepentant about the crudely made-up sign, which 11 Alive reports could be seen from the street, saying basically I said what I said in that Nene Leakes-type of way.
“We’ve had an explicitly stated ‘No Cop’ policy since we opened, and we also don’t open membership to active members of the military,” he said.
Chambers, whom is described by the news station as a lifelong political activist, said that the sign and policy is a political statement for the multi-use space which, along side being a gym, serves as a community gathering spot and meeting place for activists in the metro area.
He added that the groups who work out at his gym are generally minorities who are uncomfortable with the presence of law enforcement officers.
“It was really just that the vulgarity in that sign, and that seems to bring it out for people,” Chambers told the news site.
That being said Chambers has removed the sign…for now, although he intends to put it back up, without the curse word.
“I didn’t want the other folks there to take the heat that I’m willing to take,” Chambers said.
The Atlanta Police Department declined to comment on the gym policy, but told 11Alive, “Were we to respond to an emergency there, this sign would not stop us from lawfully doing our job.”
For Chambers’ part, he said that he wouldn’t stop authorities from doing their job. They just aren’t allowed to work out in his gym.
“If they have a warrant, they can go anywhere they want, but we’re not breaking the law,” Chambers said.
Read more at 11 Alive.
