California high schoolers form human swastika on school's football field. shared photo along with a Hitler quote

The disturbing scene was photographed and shared in a since-deleted Wednesday social media post that featured an antisemitic 1939 quote from Adolf Hitler.

“If the international Jewish financiers in and outside Europe should succeed in plunging the nations once more into a world war, then the result will not be the Bolshevization of the earth, and thus the victory of Jewry, but the annihilation of the Jewish race in Europe,” read what appeared to be an Instagram caption.



Authorities in San Jose have launched a hate crime investigation after students at a high school formed what was described as a "human swastika" on the school's football field.


According to the San Francisco Chronicle, a group of students formed a swastika with their bodies on the school's football field. The students then posted a photo on social media with an antisemitic quote from Adolf Hitler.

The incident was denounced by school and local leaders.


"Our message to the community is clear: this was a disturbing and unacceptable act of antisemitism. Actions that target, demean, or threaten Jewish students have no place at Branham," said principal Beth Silbergeld. "Many in our community were rightly appalled by the image. 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 photo was shared via an anonymous tip line on Wednesday evening and school staff worked quickly to identify the students involved. Citing the Family Rights and Privacy Acts, the principal said the school is prohibited from sharing the names and details of discipline actions for the involved students.

https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/san-jose-branham-high-school-hate-incident-human-swastika-football-field/

Silbergeld said the school in San Jose, in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, informed police about the incident. NBC Bay Area reported that the photo was posted to social media with an antisemitic message.

San Jose police said officers responded Friday to a report of a "human swastika" created on campus. The matter, reported as a hate crime, was under investigation, the department said.

“People were just shocked to see that this is happening at their school, in broad daylight, students purposely doing this," Maya Bronicki, education director of Bay Area Jewish Coalition Education and Advocacy, told NBC Bay Area. "There was clear intentionality. The caption under the post itself was horrifying."

State Sen. Dave Cortese, a Democrat who represents the community where the high school is located, said in a statement Monday that the display was an act of hate.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-high-schoolers-formed-human-swastika-will-face-justice-prin-rcna248119