For months, California Ripped Fitness has defied COVID-19 mandates in the name of constitutional liberties and kept its indoor operations intact, to the chagrin of community members.
But the San Jose gym has finally shut down its indoor operations, following months of legal threats by Santa Clara County and a fine that has snowballed to $1 million.
“They have submitted a compliance statement indicating they are no longer operating indoors and are complying with all public health orders,” Santa Clara County said in a statement to SFGATE. “The County is pleased that California Ripped Fitness has decided to come into compliance, and we will be working with them on an agreement to resolve the outstanding fines.”
“Most gyms have been operating in compliance with the state and local Orders,” the statement read.
Since December, the county has filed multiple citations against the gym for violating social distancing guidelines and not enforcing masks, as well as operating indoors. Dozens of complaints from residents were also filed.
“This protest and choice of the people to peaceably assemble is protected by the 1st Amendment,” a sign posted outside the gym read at the time, per the Bay Area News Group. “No government, state, or county can violate our constitutional rights, nor can they punish, fine or cite us, contradicting the Constitution we’re…
