Families of students at Branham High School in San Jose, California, were shocked when a harmful image began circulating on social media. Eight students lay down on the school’s football field to create a human swastika and had someone take a picture of them doing so. A student, who was likely involved in the photo, then shared the image on social media along with a harmful, antisemitic quote about Jewish people. Backlash to the post was swift, with Jewish families demanding the school take fast action in denouncing the messaging and take disciplinary action against the students.
A Branham High School student posted the image on social media on December 3, 2025, according to multiple outlets. In addition to the image of the students creating a “human swastika,” the poster, whose identity has not been revealed, shared a quote attributed to Hitler.
“A student saw it first and then the student was shocked, she recognized the field, and he sent it to parents and families,” Maya Bronicki with the Bay Area Jewish Coalition told NBC Bay Area.
The post also made its way to the r/SanJose Reddit forum, but it was removed by moderators, although comments remain.
“While this incident does not reflect the values of the vast majority of our students and families, the harm it caused is real and must be addressed,” Principal Beth Silbergeld noted in a statement to The Guardian. “Many in our community were rightly appalled by the image. This incident is troubling and unacceptable. Professionally, we are committed to learning from this moment and moving forward with greater unity and purpose.”
Silbergeld made it clear that the school would not be releasing information about those involved, including their names and any other identifying information. She also said officials will not be sharing the kind of disciplinary action taken.
“We are responding in accordance with education code and our district’s commitment to restorative justice,” she shared in a statement to NBC News. “The students who were involved are committed to taking accountability for the harm that was done.”
Silbergeld also told the outlet that the school informed police about the incident. San Jose police told the outlet that the incident was reported as a hate crime. It is under investigation.
“I’m still just processing it,” senior Tamar Maysel told KGO. “These people go to our school, and they’re basically just like putting this like hateful ideology and language out there shamelessly.”
Maysel did praise the school administration for “focusing on like the impact more than the intent.”
The Campbell Union High School District said about 200 students staged a walkout in support of Jewish students on December 10, KGO reported.
