News  Bristol Superior Court will host its Sixth Annual Naturalization Ceremony

Fall River, MA — This ceremony is one of hundreds of events taking place across the state as part of the Massachusetts Trial Court’s Sixth Annual Cultural Appreciation Week, October 24-28.

The Trial Court’s Cultural Appreciation Week is a celebration of culture and diversity of court employees, court users, and the residents in communities surrounding the courts.

Honorable Regional Administrative Judge Raffi Yessayan and Clerk of Courts Jennifer Sullivan will preside over the ceremony. The men and women who are scheduled to take the oath hail from Belarus, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Israel, Jamaica, Lebanon, Pakistan, Portugal, Uganda, and the United Kingdom.

 "I am honored to preside over Friday's ceremony with Clerk Sullivan," Judge Yessayan said. “I look forward to welcoming them and to celebrating their new citizenship with them."

In addition to the Naturalization Ceremony, Bristol Superior Court Probation will be among the more than 70 courts, court offices and departments, and Community Justice Support Centers (CJSC) that are hosting food and supply drives across the state to assist those struggling financially. Bristol Superior Court will donate non-perishable food to local charities.

Cultural Appreciation Week was introduced by Pamerson Ifill, Deputy Commissioner of Pretrial Services for the Massachusetts Probation Service. Each year, Deputy Ifill organizes a group of more than 300 court employees called Cultural Proficiency Champions or Champions who coordinate activities that include art exhibits, music, dance, and food tastings that are open to the public. The events also feature speeches by local leaders and panel discussions on equity and inclusion.