Eduardo Aslanyan actively and regularly participates in rallies, protests, and demonstrations organized by LOKA, often taking on a background leadership role. Aslanyan was first seen handing out Leave Our Kids Alone t-shirts at the anti-LGBTQ+ protest at Saticoy Elementary School on June 2, 2023, which erupted in violence with the LOKA side yelling slurs into the pro-LGBTQ crowd.
However, researchers have ascertained Aslanyan’s involvement with LOKA extends far beyond his public activities. At the Saticoy Elementary protest, a large black Dodge pick-up truck was parked across the street pulling a trailer with a large “Leave Our Kids Alone” banner.
The same truck and trailer/banner was also seen at several School board meetings including Glendale Unified School District on 6/6/2023, Temecula on 6/26/2023, Chino Valley School District on 7/20/2023, and a DTLA LOKA rally on 8/25. Researchers noted the same truck was parked at a property linked to Aslanyan in a video posted on social media by Edgar Essayan on 8/24
Aslanyan is often present with other known agitators, many with criminal histories, including: Alen Khanyan, Manuk Grigoryan, Karine Grigoryan, Narine Tadevosyan, Jessica Enos, Shiva Bagheri, Siaka Massaquoi. Aslanyan himself is also suspected of having a criminal history. A person of the same name and age as Aslanyan was convicted of felony assault in 2008, and convicted of medicare fraud in 2018.
It is important to note that organizations like LOKA promote hate and discrimination, and Aslanyan’s dedication to LOKA has solidified his position as a key figure within the extremist group. His home address is the principal address used to register the LOKA Foundation, the active California non-profit filed on June 28th 2023.
On 10/25/23 LOKA accounts and allies planned and promoted a protest of a drag queen story hour at the San Fernando Library. Aslanyan was present with a group of known agitators who commonly attend LOKA events. It was there Aslanyan and others used vehicles and their bodies to prevent the public and the Drag Queen performer from accessing the library, a clear violation of the California Ralph Act The Drag Queen Pickles and a member of the county board of supervisors, Lindsay Horvath, had to be escorted from the premises for their safety.
During the drag queen story hour protest on 10/25/23, Aslanyan took advantage of the chaos to steal a phone belonging to photojournalist Kelly Stuart. Currently, Stuart has filed a police report with the San Fernando Police Department and is awaiting results. In this video, you can clearly see Aslanyan grab Stuarts phone as it appears moments later in his right hand.
During the drag queen story hour protest on 10/25/23, Aslanyan took advantage of the chaos to steal a phone belonging to photojournalist Kelly Stuart. Currently, Stuart has filed a police report with the San Fernando Police Department and is awaiting results. Aslanyan also shoves Pickles the Drag Queen and falsy claims that Stuart attacked him. In this video, you can clearly see Aslanyan grab Stuarts phone as it appears moments later in his right hand.
The drag Queen story hour event that was disrupted is currently under investigation by the San Fernando Police Department, and the police report filed against Aslanyan for theft is also still being investigated by police.
As the LOKA foundation continues to platform extremism in the form of culture war issues, right-wing conservatism and Christian nationalism, SCEW will continue to keep a sharp eye on Eduardo Aslanyan and his role as a key figure within the LOKA organization.