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San Jose Police Investigate 'Human Swastika' Photo at Branham High as School Begins Response

Privacy rules limit disclosures about the identified students.

Overview

  • San Jose police opened a hate-crime investigation and said officers responded to Branham High School on Friday morning for an incident that occurred two days earlier.
  • The image, posted Wednesday with a 1939 Adolf Hitler quote, was removed from Instagram by Friday after screenshots spread widely, including on Reddit.
  • Principal Beth Silbergeld condemned the act, said students were identified after an anonymous tip Wednesday evening, and cited federal law in withholding names and disciplinary details.
  • The school says it is implementing educational measures on the Holocaust, hate symbols, hate speech, and antisemitism to address the harm.
  • The district is coordinating with the Anti-Defamation League, the Bay Area Jewish Coalition, and the Jewish Community Relations Council, as Jewish students and local officials voiced fear and outrage.