Who's Behind the Hate?
Meet some of the people showing up to protests against policies in the Glendale Unified School District, the City of Glendale, California and regionally as Glendale agitators align with the "Leave Our Kids Alone" (LOKA) movement that has formed to advance anti-LGBTQ+, anti-public school initiatives regionally and statewide.
All information based on publicly available information and/or their own admission.
Many of these individuals appear to work for right wing legal or legislative activist orgs or have their own streaming or influencer social media platforms. They include homeschool advocates, anti-vaccine activists, and people known primarily for violence at right wing demonstrations.
All of them appear to be focused on raising their own profiles and devote time to undermining confidence in public education, inclusive policies, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Those few who are indeed parents of school-age children are FREE to choose homeschooling or private schools.
Ringleader + NOT A GUSD PARENT
Jordan Henry
In May/June 2021, Jordan Henry, an Indiana native whose recorded address was in Highland Park at the time, joins the Glendale Unified School District’s Committee for Culturally Responsive Education. He does not have children in school, but quickly began to question already formally adopted and unanimously approved anti-racist/anti-bias curriculum materials.
As of June 2023, he and his wife, Elise Shope Henry, live in La Crescenta and have no children in GUSD public schools.
You can read the full timeline of his escalation from anti-CRT agitator to full-blown full-time agitator here. It is because of Henry's organizing efforts that Glendale now has Proud Boys and other white supremacist hate groups attending School Board meetings and City Council meetings in Glendale.
GUSD Parent / Henry Associate /
Aneta Krpekyan
Co-founder of "GUSD Parents' Voices" Facebook group in August 2020, which was originally created to protest distance learning in GUSD, mask requirements, and had posts that spread disinformation about Covid. The group appeared to connect with Jordan Henry starting in 2021, when the focus shifted to more anti-LGTBQ+ and specifically anti-trans group in 2022-2023.
Krpekyan was part of the group of parents making false allegations against a 3rd grade teacher regarding age-appropriate 3rd grade lessons taught during 2020 distance learning sessions online. It is still unclear whether she was even a parent at the school or in the class where the allegations were made. Claims to "not hate anyone," and demands that GUSD violate the laws governing public education in California and nationwide by outing children to their parents or guardians.
Aneta was at the June 6th anti-GUSD protest (photo above). She has recently appeared on Fox News and other media outlets and claims to speak for all GUSD parents. She appears to be a romance novelist and is likely to run for a school board seat in 2024.
Retired GUSD 5th grade teacher, corporate media gadfly, and Henry ally
Ray Shelton
Jordan Henry and Ray Shelton joined forces in spring 2023. Here is Ray at a Board meeting in April 2023, flashing the Pride Progress Flag made to look like a Swastika. He now is crowdfunding for legal fees and making regular appearances on far-right news channels. Shelton also appeared on an April 20th episode of Dr. Phil in which he repeated anti-trans views. Former VP of dark money funded anti-school group Parents Defending Education Asra Nomani appeared with Ray on the same episode, voicing the same anti-trans claims. He appeared at Glendale Cruise Night to harass GUSD faculty and make allegations about books in libraries.
January 6th Insurrectionist / Henry Supporter
Tony Moon
Tony Moon does not live in Glendale and has no children in GUSD. He was at the June 6th, 2023 protest against GUSD wearing an earpiece. In August 2021 at an LA anti-mask rally with the Proud Boys, Moon was captured on video attacking a journalist.
Photographer and homeschooling proponent
Hasmik Bezirdzhyan
Has criminal record. Spoke at 4/18, 5/2, 5/16 meetings; has no kids in GUSD
Filmed with Alen Khanyan (associates with Proud Boys and Tony Moon). Homeschools and hosts a homeschool park meet-up on Tuesdays. Appears to work as a photographer. Has physically harassed actual GUSD parents in Board meetings. She was also at 6/6/23 (above) and 6/20 GUSD protests, and was seen arguing with a man at Glendale Cruise Night on the @hoyakapik Instagram Live Feed.
Jordan Henry fan and homeschooling proponent
Narine Tadevosyan
She does not live in Glendale or have children in GUSD. Narine Tadevosyan films and harasses parents at GUSD Board meetings, which she then posts to her Instagram accounts. Jordan Henry appeared on her Instagram Live twice in May 2023. She uses the GUSD protests to recruit for her homeschooling network. She also appears to have a website offering "life coaching" skills under the brand "Nar Smart." Her social media is full of anti-trans content. Traveled to the Chino Valley School Board Meeting on 7/20 to make public comment despite having no children enrolled in those schools.
Associates with Proud Boys and other violent groups, not a GUSD parent
Alen Khanyan
Associated with Proud Boys - 5/16 meeting parking lot, photographed with Jordan Henry. Lives in Burbank; connected with capitol rioter Tony Moon (Roof Korean Security is his branding); regularly attends right wing events in LA, on video committing violence. Also has criminal record. Rents out a Lincoln Continental with license plate RIP JFK; also offers as chauffeured vehicle.
Proud Boy / Henry Ally / Not a GUSD parent
AdamMichael Kiefer
Adam Michael Kiefer is not a Glendale resident and has no children in GUSD. He was filmed arguing with Glendale Police Officers at the June 6th GUSD Board meeting. According to publicly available records, Kiefer served time for willful cruelty to a child. He has been seen at anti-government and anti-LGBTQ rallies across California.
Potentially dangerous, avoid.
Mike Ancheta
Former MMA fighter and frequently seen with Proud Boys, Mike Ancheta was seen at GUSD allegedly carrying a knife and bear mace. Ancheta was also present at the 8/22 LOKA rally in downtown LA and allegedly attacked journalist Vishal Singh, breaking multiple bones in his face.
Public records act requester, unclear if she is a GUSD parent.
Dorit Waldman
Dorit Waldman is responsible for several PRA requests to GUSD around keywords related to race and gender. She has also given public comment at GUSD meetings criticizing the curriculum dating back to 2021. In her public comments, her talking points closely resemble those of Jordan Henry. According to publicly available records, she lives in La Crescenta and has worked as a social worker.
Nazi enthusiast; not a GUSD parent
Narek Palyan
Narek Palyan appears to have no children in GUSD, but regularly shows up to support Jordan Henry at GUSD Board meetings and is visible on video yelling slurs at children and parents. Both Twitter feed and Instagram account are full of antisemitic and homophobic memes and tweets. He has openly praised Hitler and appeared at anti-abortion rallies and protests of pride events.
Jordan Henry fan, homeschooling proponent, active duty Navy currently under investigation for extremist ties.
Bryce Henson aka Ben Richards
Does not live in Glendale or have children in GUSD. He has been seen at multiple "parents' rights" protests across California, including the Chino Valley Board Meeting on 7/20/23 and many others. Bryce/Ben works with the California Parents Union which is working to limit trans rights and protections statewide. Bryce/Ben does frequent media for the org, recruits agitators and promotes trainings and materials. Recent media indicates he is currently under military investigation for his extremist ties.
Henry associate, does not have kids in GUSD
Nara Varderesyan
Nara is an LAUSD parent who was present at the violent Saticoy Elementary protest on 6/2 and since then has regularly shown up to support Jordan Henry at GUSD Board meetings and with LOKA extremists at meetings across Southern California. She appears to have a history of opposing vaccines. She was at the 7/20/23 Board meeting in Chino Valley, pictured next to Manuk Grigoryan (holding the flag).
Jordan Henry's wife and backer
Elise Shope Henry
Elise Shope Henry decided to speak against protections for LGBTQ+ students at the April 18th, 2023 Board Meeting during public comment. She also donated the $1190 max to Jordan's failed City Council Race in 2022. Commented on state policies in this Prager U video. (pictured above from Prager U site).
GUSD parent (?) / Henry Associate / PRA Requester
Ani Torosyan
Ani Torosyan of Glendale appears to have co-founded the GUSD Parents' Voices Facebook Group and is regularly seen with Aneta, giving public comment, recording and harassing parents who support inclusion at Board meetings, and now appearing on Fox News claiming to speak for all Glendale Parents.
She was a part of the campaign against the 3rd grade teacher in spring 2022.
She also has filed numerous PRA requests with GUSD and was filmed at the "Leave Our Kids Alone" tent at Glendale Cruise Night in July 2023.
Torosyan appears to have founded and runs a site called DishDivvy and has appeared at Glendale Tech Week as an "entrepreneur."
Henry associate, unclear if he lives in Glendale or has children in GUSD
Ed Torosyan
Ed Torosyan appears to have no children in GUSD, but regularly shows up to support Jordan Henry at GUSD Board meetings and to yell slurs at children and parents. He was in the parking lot on June 6, 2023 and has been inside previous board meetings this spring. He has also spoken against Glendale schools at anti-public school events including one organized by the Glendale Burbank Republican Club.
GUSD Parent, Remax Executive Assistant, GUSD protest attendee, PRA requester
Gayane Adamyan
Gayane Adamyan is pictured above holding the sign (the same sign Ray Shelton is holding on the far right) at the 5/16/23 GUSD Board Meeting. She appeared at the 6/6/23 GUSD protest on the side of the lot with Proud Boys and Jordan Henry holding a banner with a GUSD teacher's face and name on it. She submitted a PRA to GUSD for attendance records related to the anti-LGBTQ protest in June 2023 that was organized by the GUSD Parents' Voices group.
La Crescenta Town Council Member, CA Senate District 25 candidate
Elizabeth Wong Ahlers
Ahlers is a homeschool parent and appears to be a LOKA supporter and has attended multiple events, including the violent June 6th rally at GUSD. She was also tagged by right wing extremist @showmeyourpapersfraulein at an LAGOP event featuring disgraced Project Veritas provocateur James O'Keefe appearing to indicate allegiance with sweeping anti-public school efforts.
Christian Homeschool Activist
Denise Soto
Possibly a physician, Soto joined GUSD Parent Voices and other regional school parent groups seemingly in order to promote anti-public school and anti-vaccine materials on an almost-daily basis beginning in 2021. She is a self-professed homeschool mom who is head of the education committee for a Christian organization and has given a presentation on homeschooling at a Redlands church linked to other anti-government extremists. She was present for a violent protest against Black Lives Matter while working to advance a CA for School Choice voucher-centered ballot initiative.
Unidentified Man 6/6/23
Unidentified Man Punching People
This man is on video breaking away from the police line punching multiple peaceful adults gathered in the parking lot.
Henry Ally / Frequent Protest Appearances
"Eric Semiauto"
This man continues to appear at GUSD events with the anti-LGBTQ group. His instagram handle is @ericsemiauto.
Attorney linked with anti-vaccine and anti-LGBTQ+ legislative activism.
Nicole Pearson
Attorney with Facts Law Truth Justice, a right wing legal activist group which recruits and trains people to agitate at school board meetings and to advance anti-trans, anti-vaccine, anti-public school legislation. Pearson is connected with PERK and the California Parents Union (a project of CPC) and frequently travels to attend and speak at school board meetings statewide. On her social media she often promotes LOKA events and figures, including Jordan Henry, and espouses anti-immigrant and anti-abortion views as well as frequent conspiracy theories about "chemtrails" and vaccines.
Attorney linked with anti-vaccine and anti-LGBTQ+ legislative activism.
Jennifer Kennedy
Member of anti-trans org OurDuty and representative of the California Policy Council, currently pushing the illegal parental notification policy. Kennedy appears to have attended numerous volatile anti-school events statewide, including the violent rally at Saticoy Elementary on June 2nd.
Propagandist and Fame-seeker
Jill Simonian
Joined forces with Jordan Henry in spring 2023. Left a career in broadcast journalism to become a full-time right-wing presence on Prager U. Also runs a parenting site. Unclear whether or not she actually has children in public schools in GUSD or anywhere else. Is confused about what is actually taught in public schools and regularly insists that she "does not hate LGBTQ people."
Violent protestor / LAUSD parent/figurehead of LOKA movement
Manuk Grigoryan
Manuk Grigoryan was involved in the protest based at Saticoy Elementary on June 2nd and later appeared on Fox News several times. It's unclear whether his children attend school in LAUSD or GUSD. Based on publicly available data, he appears to live in Van Nuys and may have a criminal record. Traveled to Chino Valley School Board meeting on 7/20/23 despite having no children enrolled in that district. Was also at Orange Unified on September 7th despite having no children enrolled there.
Hate Group
Belissa Cohen and "Gays Against Groomers"
A designated hate group founded and funded by Trump operatives and extremists (including far-right militias), Gays Against Groomers does not represent local support- their website offers a form by which GAG members can be requested to appear at school board meetings.
Henry appears to have connected with GAG and Belissa Cohen, in glasses, pictured above, in order to raise his profile and leverage their funding. Their arrival at GUSD Board meetings coincided with the addition of large box trucks, banners, t-shirts, and flags that were handed out to participants who are not public school parents. Belissa Cohen does not live in Glendale or have children in GUSD schools. She has a long history of litigation, according to this site, Belissa Cohen " In May of 2010, charges were filed against Cohen for Battery, Child Cruelty and Child Endangerment. She’s also been cited with at least five different criminal charges over the years. Documents show more than 16 different civil cases where Cohen served as plaintiff or defendant. "
Does social media for protesters, GUSD protest participant, openly antisemitic.
Karine Grigorian
Karine Grigorian has attended the major June protests at GUSD against the district. She claims membership in the Saticoy protest connected "Leave Our Kids Alone (LOKA)" group. With that group, she live-streamed their table at Glendale Cruise Night via her Instagram (@hoyakapik), and can be heard off-camera claiming she was being "harassed" by a cruise night attendee who was asking questions calmly at their booth. In the audio she calls the attendee a pedophile and pervert. She is pictured above at the June 6th protest, vaping in the parking lot, despite vaping being against the law and something that GUSD works very hard to prevent students from doing. Her LinkedIN profile says she is completing a psychology degree. In her frequent livestreams and reels she says she does not have children and repeats extremely anti-semitic claims. Pictured above with Aneta Krpekyan (far left). She was at the Chino Valley Board meeting on 7/21 based on photos at the event. Her social media frequently features language implying a desire for violence against transgender and Jewish people.
LOKA Political Candidates
Alek Balekian & James Clarke
Married duo with right-wing political aspirations: Alex is a physician who appears to hold extreme anti-trans views and is running for CA-30 and James espouses similar views and is running for CA Assembly 44. Both are frequent attendees of LOKA events and appear vocal in their opposition to trans identity and rights. Likely GUSD Voices admin/LOKA supporter Ani Torossian hosted a fundraiser for Alex, James, and Jordan in July.
Repeat political candidate, Wise Nuts podcast guest
Nune and Patrick Lee Gipson
Former Sheriff Patrick Gipson ran for Congress against Adam Schiff in 2022 and lost. He is now running again for the 40th Assembly District in California. He and his wife, Nune, have appeared at the Saticoy Protest and at the Dodger Stadium Protest. Van Nuys, Glendale, and Dodger stadium are not part of the 40th Assembly District. Frequently posts about "parents' rights" on social media. Gipson and his wife Nune have also appeared as speakers at an event hosted by anti-public school org P.E.R.K with Narine Tadevosyan.
Far-right streamer with @informedwithAnthony and Communications Director for RNHA-Ca
Anthony Cabassa
Linked to PragerU and other orgs Cabassa is a frequent attendee of LOKA gatherings including the violent protests at Saticoy Elementary on 6/2 and GUSD on 6/6, the DTLA rally on 9/22 and others. Recently he appeared as a speaker at a Moms for Liberty gathering in San Luis Obispo.
Violent right-wing streamer- dangerous.
Travis Whitcher
Whitcher is known to be violent and aggressive and should be avoided at all costs. He has a long history of agitation at various right wing protests and was captured on video yelling slurs and threats at Saticoy Elementary on 6/2 and in the thick of the chaos at GUSD on 6/6 among other LOKA events.
Henry Supporter, runs nonprofit organization.
Donald Wilson Bush
Seen at the June 6th parking lot rally coordinating with several leaders, including Jordan Henry. Runs the "Woodrow Wilson Legacy Center" and has appeared on the Wise Nuts podcast. President/CEO of Armenian National Association, "a 501(c) 4 tax-exempt corporation committed to unifying the Armenian Diaspora in support of Armenia and Artsakh." Appears close to Bedros K. Hajian, who regularly posts trans and homophobic content on his social media. Bush Does not live in Glendale or have children in GUSD.
Appears not to be a GUSD parent, propagandist
Armond Garibyan - Wise Nuts Podcast
Armond and his podcast co-hosts regularly feature guests like Jordan Henry, Ray Shelton, and Joseph Marashlian to spread disinformation about GUSD schools, amplify conspiracy theories, and promote extreme anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs. Armond enjoys threatening parents inside the board room and outside in the parking lot during meetings.
Jordan Henry fan and propagandist
Mike Mohill
Mike Mohill has several failed City Council runs under his belt. He sends out an email newsletter that regularly targets people of color, GUSD teachers and admin, LGBTQ+ people, Jewish people, and others in Glendale. He has no children in GUSD. He donated almost $1190 to Jordan Henry's failed 2022 city council race.
Not a GUSD parent. Films people. GUSD protest participant.
Tony Passarella
Tony Passarella has appeared to make public comment at GUSD Board meetings. He appears to have no children in GUSD.
He runs a pool service. He was at the 6/6/23 and 6/20/23 protests at GUSD, wearing a "Leave Our Kids Alone" shirt at the 6/20 event. He regularly films the crowd.
Henry Associate / Graphic Designer
Yeva Babayan
Runs a graphic design business (Yevalution.com) and harasses parents at GUSD board meetings. Unclear whether or not she has children in GUSD schools. Yeva Babayan is pictured above seated next to Belissa Cohen from Gays Against Groomers (not a GUSD parent). Yeva Babayan is giving the middle finger to a GUSD parent in the board room in the photo above.
Not a GUSD parent / Henry Associate / violent instigator
Joseph Marashlian
Joseph Marashlian appeared at the June 2nd Saticoy Elementary protest and at the June 6th GUSD board meeting, where he was arrested for using pepper spray on people gathered in the parking lot. He lives in Burbank and does not appear to have any children in GUSD schools. He also appears on the Wise Nuts podcast, a far-right broadcast used to stoke hatred and division in Glendale.
Anti-GUSD protester and Jordan Henry ally
Armen Petrosian
Arman Petrosian has made public comment at several board meetings and was at the protest on June 6 and on June 20th. He was with Jordan Henry at the September 12, 2023 Board meeting filming. It appears that he has children in GUSD.
Jordan Henry supporter / protest participant
Bedros K. Hajian
Seen outside GUSD at the protests, Hajian does not appear to have children in public schools here. He lists is job as "vice president at Blackwater Security" and has appeared on the Wise Nuts podcast. He is pictured above with Jordan Henry, Donald Wilson bush and Aneta Krpekyan at the June 6, 2023 anti-GUSD protest.
Anti-GUSD protestor
Celena Mesa
Celena Mesa runs a social media account that amplifies the "Parents' Voices" activities. Her posts above are liked by Jordan Henry and Narine Tadevosyan. Appears to live in Glendale and may have children in GUSD. Was at Glendale Cruise Night on July 17, 2023 at the "Leave Our Kids Alone" booth (see screenshot above left).
Anti-GUSD protestor
Sevan Shahnazari
Sevan Shahnazari (man with mustache pictured above with Jordan Henry) has been at 6/6/23 and 6/20/23 Board meetings, as well as at Glendale Cruise Night on July 17th tabling for the "Leave Our Kids Alone" group. It is unclear whether he has children in GUSD or not.
Anti-GUSD protestor
Sarkis Zevelyan (in blue coat)
Sarkis Zevelyan (pictured at the June 6th anti-GUSD protest), also attended Glendale Cruise Night at the "Leave our kids alone" booth. His frequent public comments have included implied violent threats against board members. Unclear whether he has children in GUSD.
Videographer for protesters, GUSD protest participant.
Clint Milby
Clint Milby was filming and in the parking lot on 6/6/23. He has a documented record of harassing Pride events in Burbank and elsewhere. Lives in Burbank and does not appear to have children in GUSD. Lists job "producer."