Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Restraining Order Granted Against Conservative Clovis Activist
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 4 years ago on
May 7, 2021

Share

A judge has granted a restraining order requiring a conservative Clovis activist to stay away from his sister.

At a hearing on Tuesday, Judge Robert Mangano ordered Ben Martin to stay 100 yards away from his sister for two years. The order also prevents Martin from owning or possessing firearms and ammunition.

Martin says he does not own any guns.

GV Wire is not naming the petitioner in the case because she is a victim.

Martin is known in the community for leading protests against businesses that mandate masks. He also frequently posts on his Facebook page videos that have a conservative political slant.

Second Request for Restraining Order

This is the second time Martin’s sister requested a restraining order against her brother within a six-month period. The first, filed in September 2020, was dismissed three months later when the parties agreed to an unofficial stay-away order.

The sister told the judge “things cooled off” and hoped the family could mediate the situation.

Martin’s sister filed a second restraining order request in February. During testimony at an April 13 hearing, she said Martin parked at the family’s real estate business and acted irrationally. She said Martin posted a live Facebook video, speaking negatively about her. She feared for her safety and called police. No arrests were made.

Martin’s sister also said she and her husband received concerning text messages from Martin.

“It scares me,” she testified.

Testifying in his own defense, Martin said he was at the business to pick up a check, never entered the building, and never threatened his sister.

When cross-examining his sister, she replied, “You are unpredictable. You are intimidating. You are scary.”

Mangano continued the April 13 hearing until May 4, when testimony would conclude and he would render a decision. He hoped the two sides would come to a reconciliation, which they did not.

Martin Not at May 4 Hearing

At the April 13 hearing, only Martin and the court reporter were present in the courtroom. To avoid technical complications through video teleconferencing software, Mangano ordered the parties to appear in person this week.

While the sister and her attorney were present, Martin was not.

Martin said he was denied entry to the courthouse because he had a fever. He says he left a message for the judge’s clerk. It was too late to make other arrangements to appear, such as by Zoom.

“I wasn’t afforded due process,” Martin tells GV Wire. Martin, who has been acting as his own attorney, said he plans to file an appeal.

Other Martin Incidents

When Martin led a protest at Sprouts Farmers Market in January against the store’s mask policy, police had to be called to calm a tense situation.

Last month, Martin and Fresno City Councilman Miguel Arias were coincidentally eating at a Paso Robles restaurant at the same time. Martin verbally interacted with Arias. Video showed Martin yelling and cussing at Arias.

Martin was also at the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riots, and entered the building although he said that was not his intent. He said he was trying to prevent any violent behavior but was pushed inside by the mob. He eventually walked out.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

4 Million Acres of California Forests Could Lose Protection. What Trump’s ‘Roadless Rule’ Repeal Could Do

DON'T MISS

Israeli Settlers Raid West Bank Town, Troops Kill 3 Palestinians

DON'T MISS

West Nile Virus Detected in Mosquitoes in Fresno County

DON'T MISS

Trump Says Netanyahu’s Trial Should Be Canceled

DON'T MISS

St. Agnes’ New Chief Medical Officer Is a Kidney Care Expert

DON'T MISS

US Military to Create Two New Border Zones, Officials Say

DON'T MISS

Trump Signals US May Ease Iran Oil Sanction Enforcement to Help Rebuild Country

DON'T MISS

CIA Says Intelligence Indicates Iran’s Nuclear Program Severely Damaged

DON'T MISS

Upscale Woodward Park Area Apartments Sell for $19 Million

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: Learn the Latest on the Caleb Quick Murder Hearings

UP NEXT

St. Agnes’ New Chief Medical Officer Is a Kidney Care Expert

UP NEXT

Upscale Woodward Park Area Apartments Sell for $19 Million

UP NEXT

Fresno Residents Join Nationwide Fast to Call Attention to Gaza Crisis

UP NEXT

How a Birthday Boat Ride on Lake Tahoe Turned Tragic

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Kimberly Ann Harris

UP NEXT

Fresno County Wildfire Near Coalinga Grows to 852 Acres, 65% Contained

UP NEXT

Cuomo Concedes to Mamdani in New York City Democratic Mayoral Contest

UP NEXT

Mamdani Holds Lead Over Cuomo in Democratic Primary for NYC Mayor

UP NEXT

Fresno County’s New Breeding Ordinance Could Shut Down 50 Operations

UP NEXT

Fresno County Wildfire Quickly Contained. How Did They Do It?

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

New Data Clarifies a Lingering Question on 2024 Turnout

1 hour ago

US Announces New Fentanyl-Related Visa Restriction Policy

2 hours ago

Trump Administration Has ‘No Imminent Plans’ to Refill Nation’s Emergency Oil Reserve

2 hours ago

Why Is Usually Sleepy Fresno County Schools Superintendent Race Suddenly Hot?

2 hours ago

Tulare County Authorities Seek Leads After Armed Robbery in Earlimart

2 hours ago

US Justice Department to Probe Hiring Practices at University of California

3 hours ago

White House Wants Major Cut in US War Crimes, Accountability Funding, Sources Say

3 hours ago

No Known Intelligence That Iran Moved Uranium, US Defense Chief Says

3 hours ago

What Does the Fresno County Schools Superintendent Do? Read This Q&A to Find Out

3 hours ago

Israel Says Iran’s Supreme Leader Avoided Assassination by Going Underground

3 hours ago

Wonderdog Still Barking: Justin Wilson Thrives With Boston Red Sox

Of the several Wonderdogs who made it to The Show, only Justin Wilson remains. Wilson, one of the star pitchers for Fresno State’s 200...

16 minutes ago

16 minutes ago

Wonderdog Still Barking: Justin Wilson Thrives With Boston Red Sox

Anna Wintour attends opening remarks during a press preview of The Costume Institute's exhibition "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, U.S., May 5, 2025. (Reuters File)
39 minutes ago

Anna Wintour to Step Down From Vogue Editor-in-Chief Role, Media Reports Say

1 hour ago

Feds Charge Bullard High Teacher With Child Porn, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

New data shows Kamala Harris lost the 2024 election not because of low turnout, but because millions of young, nonwhite, and irregular voters either stayed home or shifted their support to Donald Trump. (Shutterstock)
1 hour ago

New Data Clarifies a Lingering Question on 2024 Turnout

Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks at the start of a NATO leaders summit in The Hague, Netherlands June 25, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

US Announces New Fentanyl-Related Visa Restriction Policy

A boat sails along the Brazos Harbor in Freeport, Texas, U.S., June 23, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

Trump Administration Has ‘No Imminent Plans’ to Refill Nation’s Emergency Oil Reserve

2 hours ago

Why Is Usually Sleepy Fresno County Schools Superintendent Race Suddenly Hot?

Two armed suspects robbed customers and a clerk at a gas station in Earlimart Wednesday, June 25, 2025, night before fleeing in a blue vehicle. (Tulare County SO)
2 hours ago

Tulare County Authorities Seek Leads After Armed Robbery in Earlimart

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend