Antisemitic symbols and other hateful graffiti were found inside a campus facility at an East San Jose elementary school after a weekend break-in, leaving families shaken and scrambling to explain it to their kids. Parents say the discovery has forced uncomfortable conversations with young children about safety and bias, while school leaders and law enforcement review what happened and what it means for the community.
What happened on campus
According to KTVU, the vandalism followed a weekend break-in and included antisemitic markings along with other hateful symbols inside a campus facility. The East San Jose elementary school has not been publicly named. Parents who spoke with the station said they are struggling with how to discuss hate speech with their children while they wait for investigators to release more information.
Nearby campuses and response
The incident comes amid a string of hateful episodes in the broader area. San José State University has reported multiple cases of antisemitic graffiti and written threats this spring and says it has responded with increased patrols, lighting and surveillance. "The university condemns hate, violence and threats of violence," the school wrote in a public update.
Violent incidents have followed slurs
San Jose has also seen violence that authorities described as having an antisemitic element earlier this year. The Los Angeles Times reported that a March assault outside Santana Row allegedly began with antisemitic slurs before the victims were beaten, and that prosecutors later filed charges in the case.
A national backdrop
Nationally, the Anti-Defamation League tracked 6,274 antisemitic incidents in 2025 and said the year was the third-highest on record, according to the ADL. The group’s audit also found that physical assaults increased even as overall harassment and vandalism declined compared with 2024.
Parents want answers; districts respond
Parents told KTVU they want clearer, age-appropriate messaging from the district, along with a concrete plan for student safety and education around bias and hate. School systems elsewhere have moved quickly when similar vandalism has appeared. Police and town officials in Natick, Massachusetts removed a swastika and opened an investigation after it was discovered over a weekend, as reported by NBC Boston.
How to report and follow updates
Anyone with information about the East San Jose incident is urged to contact the San José Police Department using its online reporting tools or non-emergency phone lines. The department maintains a hate-crime reporting initiative and guidance for victims and witnesses. For broader resources and reporting options, families and educators can look to national organizations and the ADL incident-tracking materials for additional support.
