Branham's Swastika Investigation
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Ariel Lee Feb 15, 2026
On Dec. 3, 2025, an Instagram photo of eight Branham High School students forming a Nazi swastika with their bodies on the school’s football field circulated the internet, prompting reports of a possible hate crime and an investigation by their school and district.
This image, taken on the same day it was posted, included a caption quoting Nazi leader Adof Hitler’s Reichstag speech in German, which supported the extermination of Jews. Administrators were notified of the post through Branham’s “Say Something Anonymously” Reporting System app, and the offense quickly sparked widespread outrage among students, families and community members. The school and district staff immediately investigated the incident—reporting the post to Instagram as a hate crime and filing a police report. Branham High School Principal Beth Silbergeld released an announcement to parents and students through an online portal for parents the next day, condemning the image and stating that the school does not tolerate hate symbols or discriminatory behavior of any kind.
“When I first saw the picture, I was confused why the students would make offensive gestures and find it funny without considering the heavy history or the harm it caused. Before this event, I did not see anti semitism as a huge problem in my community; however, this incident made me believe that it was still a serious issue, even with my age group, and it needs to be fixed,” Junior Arvin Kumar said.
Silbergeld said the school is working with the Campbell Union High School District as well as outside organizations including the Anti-Defamation League, the Bay Area Jewish Coalition and the San Jose Police Department to ensure the community receives proper support and guidance to repair the harm done. According to Silbergeld, steps have been taken to address the incident within the student body, including providing counseling resources and mandating discussions with students to address the impact of the offense and reinforce expectations for student conduct. Additionally, students and families affected by this incident have worked with Branham and have received support for students’ feeling of safety and belonging. District officials have also stated that disciplinary actions will be determined in accordance with district policy and state student privacy laws.
“Branham is deeply committed to creating safe and welcoming spaces for every student. We value and honor the diversity within our community and are dedicated to uplifting voices and groups that have historically been marginalized. While schools can reflect the challenges present in society, we also believe schools have the power to interrupt injustice and transform harmful systems. Education is a catalyst for social change, and we choose to be defined by our shared commitment to fellowship, dignity, and growth—not by the actions of a few,” Silbergeld said.
In response to the incident, approximately 200 Branham students participated in a peaceful walkout on campus on Dec. 10, 2025. School officials acknowledged the demonstrations and claimed that they were monitored by staff to ensure student safety, showing their awareness of the incident’s sensitivity and potential risks. The walkout lasted 30 minutes, ending with English teacher Kerry Murphy organizing students into a human peace sign. Silbergeld also announced that students would have a 10-slide presentation called “Hate doesn’t belong at Branham,” featuring videos about the history and definitions of antisemitism, swastikas and hate speech as well as additional information about freedom of speech in schools. Furthermore, the school held a mandatory event for sophomores about Holocaust remembrance on Jan. 27, featuring a female Holocaust survivor guest speaker.
“The symbol is associated with hatred towards the Jewish community, so posting it online and thinking it is funny or even seeing it as a joke is bewildering and inappropriate; it makes me think that people do not understand the impact the swastika can carry,” Senior Andy Kim said.
Administrators said Branham is reviewing how it addresses incidents involving hate symbols and discriminatory behavior across all forms of bias, emphasizing plans to foster inclusion through clear communication and accountability, Holocaust education as a part of broader anti-discrimination efforts, and ongoing community engagement. To support these goals, the school is investing in anti-racism education, culturally relevant curricula, and timely, thoughtful responses to bias, hate, and harm. Furthermore, it aims to encourage open, age-appropriate conversions about race and identity within families while partnering with parents and caregivers to model curiosity, respect, and empathy at home.
About the Contributors
Ariel Lee
Staff Writer
Ariel Lee is a junior at Leland High School and the School News and Last Word Page Editor for The Charger Account. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies and shows, hanging out with friends, and eating new foods.
Isabella Zhu
Artist & Page Editor
Isabella Zhu is a sophomore at Leland High School and the Viewpoint page editor for The Charger Account. She enjoys reading books and browsing Netflix in her free time.
