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A viral photo of San Jose students drawing “human swastikas” on their high school’s football field — posted on social media along with an anti-Semitic quote from Adolf Hitler — has sparked outrage in the local community.
The photo of eight Branham High School students lying on their backs with swastikas was first shared on Instagram on Wednesday, December 3, by a student who attends the public school. J. Jewish News of Northern California Informed.
According to the report, the post was captioned in German, quoting an infamous speech given by Hitler in 1939, which claimed that “International Financial Jews” had succeeded in “plunging the nations into world war” and threatened “the destruction of the Jewish race in Europe.”
The anti-Semitic post, which was removed by Friday, was condemned by school officials and local leaders.
Beth Silbergeld, the school’s principal, said, “Our message to the community is clear: This was a disturbing and unacceptable act of anti-Semitism. There is no place on our campuses for actions that target, humiliate, or intimidate Jewish students.” Los Angeles Times In a statement.
“Personally, I am horrified by this act. Professionally, I am confident and hopeful that our school community can learn from this moment and emerge stronger and more united.”
Silbergeld said the students involved in the incident have been identified, but their names have not been made public due to federal law.
California State Senator Dave Cortez (D-San Jose) also shared a strong reaction “I am deeply disturbed by the discovery of the anti-Semitic ‘human swastika’ at Branham High School,” he wrote in a statement about the incident.
Cortez said: “Acts of hate – no matter where they occur – have a profound impact on our youth, our families and our broader community. There is absolutely no place for anti-Semitism or bigotry of any kind in our schools or our society.”
While the original post was deleted, the disturbing image is still present on social media.
Jewish students and their parents have expressed shock and disbelief at the incident.
A senior Jewish student at the school said, “It was absolutely crazy to think that there were people at my school who quoted Hitler.” J,
Another Jewish senior told the outlet the incident left him shaken and scared.
“I was really scared, my identity felt threatened at this point,” she said. “There are people at my school who think they can get away with it. And for me, it was really scary to know that.”
The Jewish mother of a ninth grade student also told J. That his son recognized at least one student in the photo.
“I’m scared because I feel like my son is not safe at school,” she said. J“I’m a second-generation Holocaust survivor, and looking at this picture gives me goosebumps,”
The investigation has been turned over to the San Jose Police Department.
The school district also plans to work with the Anti-Defamation League, the Bay Area Jewish Coalition and the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Bay Area to allay students’ fears in the wake of the incident.