George Floyd ‘I can’t breathe’ workout at Wisconsin gym incites backlash
A Wisconsin gym is getting backlash for a sign advertising an “I Can’t Breathe” workout and a drawing of a kneeling person.
A photo of the sign at the Anytime Fitness in Wauwatosa was posted on social media on Wednesday and quickly sparked backlash. The sign reads “...And don’t you dare lay down.”
“The photo on the left was taken yesterday at Anytime Fitness in Wauwatosa,” Facebook user Karianne Marie wrote. “I’m not sure if they were trying to make light of the current situation but it’s pretty disturbing, to say the least.”
George Floyd, 46, is an unarmed black man who died while in police custody on Memorial Day, and his death sparked an avalanche of protests across the nation. He died after now-fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, as three other officers didn’t intervene.
A 17-year-old bystander took video of the incident, in which Floyd can be heard saying, “Please, please, please, I can’t breathe.”
Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. He remains jailed with bail set at $1.25 million. Officers J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao were also fired and arrested, charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.
Twitter user PhloatinDave wrote in response to the photo: “It is absolutely disgusting. I saw this earlier and my jaw dropped. I am so glad I canceled my membership with them.”
“Really concerned that @AnytimeFitness finds mocking the death of George Floyd appropriate, racism is alive in Wauwatosa,” Twitter user Cashewcruise posted.
Another user on Twitter posted: “Totally tasteless. Disgusting and tone deaf. Shame.”
Jen Dunnington, co-owner of the Anytime Fitness in Wauwatosa, wrote an apology on Facebook:
“We are terribly sorry for our actions this week by offering an ‘I Can’t Breathe’ workout. No matter our intent, we now recognize how deeply offensive our words, illustrations and actions have been. One of the publicly-stated commitments to antiracism work by the owner of the Anytime Fitness brand, Self Esteem Brands, is to bolster education efforts for its franchise owners to lead with empathy, love and respect. We obviously have work to do within our own location, and we will work hard to earn back your trust and respect.”
The leaders of Self Esteem Brands, the parent company of Anytime Fitness, also posted an apology.
“As leaders of Self Esteem Brands and the Anytime Fitness brand, we were shocked and devastated to see that one of our franchise locations chose to offer an ‘I Can’t Breathe’ workout. No matter the intent, we absolutely do not condone the words, illustrations or actions this represents. To our employees, owners and members, we are truly and profoundly sorry that this incident occurred,” Chuck Runyon and Dave Mortensen, co-founders of Self Esteem Brands, and Stacy Anderson, brand president of Anytime Fitness, wrote.
McClatchy News has reached out to Dunnington for comment.
This story was originally published June 10, 2020 at 1:30 PM with the headline "George Floyd ‘I can’t breathe’ workout at Wisconsin gym incites backlash."