It’s honestly crazy, but this got me mad HORRIBLY at a VASA Fitness gym in Clinton, Utah, where: What started as a mere scuffle over equipment in the gym turned racist when a guy, in all fairness, threatened to call ICE against another member of the gym. Over machines at the gym-wild.
Apparently, everything is caught on video and has been blown up on Instagram and other social media platforms. You could easily see a white man in a black Alligator Alcatraz hoodie, still pulling out his phone, then opening an app like he was ready for this moment. He started shouting that he was going to call ICE and get people checked, asking who was legal and who was not. That part was honestly shocking to hear.
The other guy, who looks Hispanic, just stayed calm and said he is a US citizen. Even after that, the man did not stop. He kept going on about ICE like it was some weapon he could use just because he was angry about gym equipment. It did not look like anything serious had even happened before that. Just a standard gym argument that could have been solved in seconds.
Other people and gym staff can be seen in the background, but nobody jumps in right away. The video ends abruptly, though, so no one really knows what happens after. However, you can see how the man ended up and how he judged someone based on their appearance.
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Felicia Samponaro was the first to share the video on Instagram. She really described the events quite clearly in the post and mentioned how quickly the man opened the ICE app, as if he had it ready. According to the other gym member, he clearly said he was a US citizen. This post elicited a strong response in comments as it received considerable attention.
Later, the video was reposted by Gary Grafter, who goes by the online handle graftacus. He added his comment, calling out the man, and said that this kind of thinking shows how some people control others in daily life. His post was in sculpture and added the video to an even wider audience.
The Facebook page Restitute ICE also shared the video and termed the behavior exactly what people fear. They said nothing illegal happened and that there was no need to involve the police or ICE. Instead, it was just racism and intimidation. For all intents and purposes, calling ICE on a US citizen just because of how they look is really messed up.
On the internet, people did not hold back. An Instagram user stated that the man should lose his gym privileges and be banned, as most gyms impose strict rules against harassment. Another suggested exposing him in the same way he sought to scare someone else. Some comments went way too far, but all were just angry and disappointed.
One comment, typical of this kind of behavior in Utah, said that such persons should be brought to justice. You can really feel how frustrated people are with stuff like this happening more often.
Clinton, Utah, is a small city with about 23,000 people. It is mostly quiet and close to Hill Air Force Base. VASA Fitness is a big gym chain, and they always talk about being open and welcoming to everyone. They have pool classes and lots of equipment. But events such as this make one really wonder how safe and inclusive these places are.
As of now, VASA Fitness has not said anything publicly about the incident. A lot of people online want them to respond and maybe cancel the man´s membership. Their website states that they wish to create a judgment-free space, but situations like this really test that promise.
I go to the gym myself, and such instances make me downright nervous even thinking about them. The gym is meant to be a relaxed space for people to better themselves. No one should be afraid or judged just for existing. Everyone has a story, and if you don’t get it, move on. Arguments over equipment happen, but bringing racism and ICE into it crosses the line.
At the end of the day, though, nothing the man in the video achieved other than exposing himself for how bad he really is. Instead of behaving like an adult, he only made himself look like a ludicrous person in front of the whole internet. I am sure that the guy who was targeted felt horrible at that moment, but with so many people supporting him online, it does not matter.
Shows one how quickly things can escalate when bias comes into play. It also emphasizes why people keep talking about accountability and respect everywhere, even in a place as common as a gym. Hopefully, things such as this will be taken seriously and not ignored. You may also be interested in: Have a Good Day Sparks Chaos at Planet Fitness Atlanta Gym
