UPDATE MAY 20: Chad and Monica Cole, owners of CrossFit Apollo in Centennial Hills, have filed a lawsuit against Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak and Las Vegas police.
The two say officers walked into their gym during a meeting last week and threatened them with arrest if they decided to reopen.
The owners argue there is no need for ongoing shutdowns because hospitals are not at overcapacity.
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A Las Vegas crossfit location held an outdoor workout protest Monday after they say they were threatened by police if they opened their doors early.
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The owners of CrossFit Apollo in Centennial Hills say they have no choice but to fight back because they don’t have a clear date of when they can reopen, following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“What do you expect our small businesses to do just sit on our hands, or stand up and fight,” says Chad Cole, co-owner.
The owners say they reached a point where they needed to do something after being frustrated with Gov. Sisolak’s decision to keep certain businesses closed for now.
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“If we knew the mark we had to meet to be able to open, then that would be awesome but we don’t know that mark, we’re waiting for someone to pick us,” says Monica Cole, co-owner.
The owners say Las Vegas Police caught wind that Crossfit Apollo was going to open early, and officers threatened that they could be arrested for doing so.
Instead, they held an outdoor workout protest to send a message.
“We’re not coming at this in a very combative way, we’re trying to be as respectful of others as we possibly can, and we hope it’s reciprocated,” says Cole.
The owners wanting to reopen is not from defiance, but from a need to get back to business.
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For so many, crossfit is a healthy form of release.
“Coming here, talking to friends, working out really helped with my mental health issues,” says Elizabeth McKenzie, attendee.
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