“Planet Fitness members and guests DESERVE BETTER”

So an update on the whole Planet Fitness harassment incident in Illinois—but first the recap:

On Dec. 4, I was a first time guest of the Elmwood Park, IL Planet Fitness where I became the victim of sexual harassment! My photo was taken by a pervert, now identified as Peter Demopoulos of Elmwood Park, with a flash film camera! While sneaking and hiding behind the building’s columns no less!

After alerting staff, Mr. Demopoulos ran to the locker room and hid the film camera. Upon re-entering the gym area, he spoke to staff claiming only the use of a cell phone camera to take photos of the facility. They did not confiscate either device and did not kick him out—even though you CAN be kicked out for slamming down weights while you work-out. Or breathing too hard. Yes, I’m serious…as seen in the news story here.

Here’s the Update: It took FIVE calls with management to have his membership pulled from the Elmwood location. But I wanted to make sure that this couldn’t happen to anyone else or myself again! So I asked for Mr. Demopoulos to be banned from any location within 25 miles, for Planet Fitness to form a zero tolerance harassment policy and train their staff on it, to be notified of disciplinary action taken against employees that did not kick out the offender, and to be allowed access to the video footage they had of the incident.

The VP of Operations (corporate), Bill Mulleady banned him from the other locations—and ignored all my other requests—even though over the phone he said someone should ‘definitely be disciplined or fired’ and that he would give me a copy of their current harassment policy and check on the video tapes. After DAYS of hearing nothing, I emailed him and he said he would call on Dec 19th—which came and went. When I sent an email blasting them for ignoring me—he said my requests were ‘unreasonable’!

This to me says they do not really have a harassment policy, and that there is something on those tapes they do not want me to see! I’m currently trying to contact major news outlets and seeing if I can get my hands on a lawyer that can request the videos! THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE WELL-BEING OF THEIR MEMBERS OR GUESTS AND ARE HIDING SOMETHING!

I REFUSE to be scared or intimidated. And I REFUSE to stand by businesses that are supposed to protect me ALLOW me to be scared or intimidated. And I won’t let them allow anyone else to feel that way either. Planet Fitness members and guests DESERVE BETTER.

– Earth Angel

Location: Elmwood Park, Ilinois

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