A disturbing incident at Branham High School in San José has sparked outrage after a viral image showed students forming a human swastika on their football field. The image, posted on social media on December 3, included an antisemitic quote from Adolf Hitler and has since been deleted. Local leaders, including Principal Beth Silbergeld, have condemned the act as “disturbing and unacceptable.”
The incident involved eight students, whose identities remain confidential due to federal privacy laws. The school is collaborating with the San José Police Department and organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League and the Bay Area Jewish Coalition to address the situation. Principal Silbergeld emphasized the need for educational approaches to ensure students understand the impact of hate symbols and antisemitism.
The event has caused fear and disbelief among Jewish students and their families. One Jewish senior expressed feeling threatened, stating, “There are people at my school who think they can get away with this.” The school is providing support and resources to those affected and is committed to repairing the harm caused by the incident.
The students involved have been identified and are reportedly taking accountability for their actions. However, specific disciplinary measures have not been disclosed. The school aims to learn from this incident and emerge as a more united community.
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