Outrage in San Jose: High School Students Form 'Human Swastika' on Field, Sparking Antisemitism Fears

Jewish parents and community leaders in Silicon Valley are reeling from shock and fury after a photo surfaced showing eight Branham High School students lying on the school's football field to form a swastika, a blatant symbol of Nazi hatred, prompting swift condemnation from school officials and vows of a thorough investigation.

The disturbing image, which went viral on social media platforms like Instagram, was posted anonymously last week (December 4, 2025). Accompanying the photo was a chilling caption quoting Adolf Hitler from 1939: "Jews are a race-tuberculosis of the people." The post quickly amassed thousands of shares and views, igniting widespread alarm among families in the diverse Campbell Union High School District.

"This is not just a prank: It's a terrifying reminder of the hatred that still lurks in our schools," said Rachel Cohen, a Jewish parent whose child attends a nearby district school. Speaking to reporters outside Branham High on Monday, Cohen described the incident as "heartbreaking," adding, "My kids are scared to go to class now. How do we explain this to them?"

District Superintendent Kristen Coniaris addressed the uproar in a statement released December 5, calling the act "deeply unacceptable and contrary to our values of inclusivity and respect." The district confirmed the students involved are enrolled at Branham and has launched an immediate investigation in coordination with local law enforcement. "We are taking this seriously and will support all students and families affected," Coniaris said, emphasizing resources like counseling services for those impacted. Potential disciplinary measures, including suspension or expulsion, are under consideration, though student identities remain confidential pending the probe.

No physical harm was reported from the incident, which appears to have occurred during or after school hours on the field. Authorities have not yet determined if it qualifies as a hate crime, but the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office is assisting in the review.

The event has amplified concerns over a spike in antisemitic incidents in U.S. schools since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which triggered a surge in bias reports nationwide. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) recorded over 10,000 antisemitic acts in 2024 alone, with California seeing a disproportionate share. "This isn't isolated - it's part of a pattern where young people are exposed to toxic ideologies online and bring them into real life," said ADL regional director Sara Goldschmidt. The organization has offered to partner with the district on enhanced anti-bias training and Holocaust education programs.

Local Jewish groups, including the Jewish Community Relations Council of Silicon Valley, echoed the call for action. "Parents are terrified, and rightfully so," said council chair David Pine. "We need zero-tolerance policies and real education to root out this poison before it spreads."

This isn't the first such shock in California schools. In 2019, a group of high schoolers in Newport Beach posed with a swastika fashioned from red Solo cups at a party, leading to public apologies, school interventions, and statewide discussions on teen extremism. Advocates hope the Branham case will spur similar reforms, including stricter social media monitoring and peer-led initiatives to combat hate.

As the investigation unfolds, community members plan a vigil at the school this week to reaffirm solidarity. For now, the swastika photo, a stark emblem of genocide that claimed six million Jewish lives, serves as a grim wake-up call in a region long celebrated for its innovation and diversity.