Retired Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey: Hello, my name is Paula Carey. I'm the retired Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Trial Court. A hallmark of my eight and a half year as Chief Justice was a commitment to inclusion and diversity. Every day, in society and in our courts, people suffer indignities solely because of some aspect of their identity. We all have, and must take responsibility to intervene and provide support when we witness these harms. This is your call to action as well as mine. Take action.
[A picture of retired Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey with text that says "This video was produced as a result of the commitment and dedication of Chief Justice Paula M. Carey to diversity, equity, and inclusion and justice for all."]
Trial Court Chief Justice Jeffrey Locke: Our courts are premised on the notion of justice. Let us make justice real for all. Here in Massachusetts, we stand up for justice. Be an Upstander.
[The Massachusetts Court System seal with text underneath that says "Be an Upstander."]
Retired Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey: In the Massachusetts Court System, we value all employees. We treat every employee and court user with dignity and respect.
Court Administrator John Bello: We stand up against bigotry and disrespectful treatment.
Justice Dalila Wendlandt: This is true in our personal lives and in our professional lives as employees of the Massachusetts Court System.
Chief Justice of the District Court Paul Dawley: A Bystander is someone who sees an injustice, but does not take action because they're afraid of standing up, or because they don't know how to help.
Appeals Court Chief Justice Mark Green: Leaders stand up, even when it is unpopular to do so, because it is the right thing to do.
U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley: Upstanders are those who stand up and speak out when they witness an injustice committed against another.
Statewide Probation Training Supervisor Patti Gavin: Even when the easiest or most acceptable course is to do nothing.
Chief Justice of the Probate and Family Court John Casey: So, ask yourself, "How can I be an Upstander?" if a co-worker speaks up to express an opinion and someone rolls their eyes or makes a dismissive gesture, without even listening to their idea?
Associate Court Administrator Matthew Cocciardi: Would I stand for that?
Project Coordinator for DEI Jessica Roman Alvarez: What could I do?
Judge Vickie Henry: If someone consistently interrupts a woman or a person of color in a meeting, or doesn't acknowledge the same good idea because it came from a woman or a person of color
Chief Probation Officer Donald Chausse: Would I stand for that?
Judge Mark Mason: If a person says to someone, "That's so gay," would I stand for that?
Commissioner of Probation Edward Dolan: If a man says to a woman, "Don't be so emotional," would I stand for that?
Judge Susan Sullivan: If a person suggests that a person of color is not an American by asking, "Where are you really from?" would I stand for that?
Court Officer Kristopher James: Or a colleague says to someone, "You're so ghetto," would I stand for that?
Judge Valerie Yarashus: If I see someone disrespecting another person based on that person's choice of clothing, hairstyle, or other expression of their ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, would I stand for that?
Chief Justice of the Boston Municipal Court Robert Ronquillo: If someone states their pronouns and a member of court staff refuses to use these pronouns, makes light of the request, laughs, or engages in whispering, would I stand for that?
Chief Justice of the Juvenile Court Amy Nechtem: If court staff gives preference to someone who looks more like them, or disregards, overlooks, and ignores a person because of the color of their skin,
Project Coordinator for EOTC Suzete Costa: Would I stand for that?
Program Manager for EOTC Susan Lawlor: If I heard people making assumptions about a person's willingness to handle new technology
Senior Manager for DEI Taneekah Freeman: Or ability to relate to younger coworkers, would I stand for that?
Judge Michael Bolden: If I see someone being excluded, whether it's deliberate or not, would I stand for that?
Veterans Programs Coordinator Jason Thomas: If I heard someone mocking a person's military service or veteran status, would I stand for that?
Chief Justice of the Housing Court Timothy Sullivan: If I heard someone use a racial slur, such as the N word, or tell a joke that mocks Jews or Muslims,
Chief Probation Officer Michael Branch: Would I stand for that?
First Assistant Clerk Magistrate Patrick Creedon: If I hear someone speaking in a rude or condescending way to someone who looks or sounds different
Chief Court Officer Gerard Fahey: or is differently abled, whether physically, visually, or verbally, would I stand for that?
Deputy Director for DEI Christina Maryland: If I heard someone telling a person that they cannot breastfeed in public
Chief Justice of the Superior Court Judge Heidi Brieger: Or making a negative comment about someone who chooses to take time off for the birth or adoption of a child
Court Officer for Appeals Court John W. Harrison III: Would I stand for that?
Chief Justice of the Land Court Gordon Piper: In the Massachusetts courts, we know that relationships are built on a foundation of trust, honor, compassion and respect.
Retired Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey: Stand up.
Chief Experience & Diversity Officer John Laing: Stand up for justice.
Chief Justice of the Appeals Court Mark Green: Stand up because it is the right thing to do.
Court Administrator John Bello: Stand up for each other
Senior Manager for Access to Justice Elizabeth Cerda: And give voice to the voiceless.
Director of Support Services & Law Libraries Sheriece Perry: Imagine if we all stood up together for a stronger community
Assistant Clerk Magistrate Amanda Ward: And for a better world
Clerk Magistrate Helen White: If we stood for positivity rather than negativity
Project Coordinator for DEI Thayse Mendonca: If we stood for empathy rather than hate
Associate Probation Officer Cassandra Okai: If we focused on the injustices in our system
Regional Assistant Director of Security Robin Yancey: Every day, ask yourself, "How can I be an upstander?"
Chief Justice of the Housing Court Timothy Sullivan: Let's build each other up, not tear each other down.
Research Analyst Pavitra Chari: If I see someone behave disrespectfully when someone else is expressing an opinion
First Justice Matthew Machera: What can I do? I can lean in and listen
Judge Mark Mason: And maybe ask a question that shows that I am willing to hear a different point of view.
Clerk Magistrate Adam Baler: If someone speaks over another person
Director of Support Services & Law Libraries Sheriece Perry: I could also point out, you just interrupted our colleague
Chief Probation Officer Michael Branch: Or state it was a great idea when our colleague started to say it too.
Clerk Magistrate Anthony Owens: If I stumble and say something disrespectful or hurtful,
Executive Assistant to the Chief Justice Lindsay Foy: I will take full responsibility for my actions.
Judge David Weingarten: I will not allow someone else's silence to let me off the hook when I sense my actions may have caused harm.
Senior Executive Assistant Martha Veras: I will be mindful of the people around me and make sure I don't tolerate exclusion of anyone because of their race, sex, religion or ethnicity.
Judge Neil Sherring: I will be inclusive and welcoming and encourage others to do the same.
Judge Julie Bernard: If someone informs me that I said or did something that caused pain, disappointment, or isolation,
Head Administrative Assistant Ulisses Varela: I will listen with an open mind and I apologize for my insensitivity
Judge Catherine Ham: I won't sit idly by while someone tells a racist or inappropriate joke.
Justice Dalila Wendlandt: It is not enough to simply refrain from laughing.
Deputy Court Administrator Benjamin Adeyinka: I will interrupt the joke as soon as I realize the joke is hurtful, or demeaning
First Justice Matthew Machera: And I will make clear that those jokes are not welcome.
Judge Jennifer Ulwick: When bias comes from the boss, it's easy to assume nothing can be done.
Chief Experience & Diversity Officer John Laing: That is not true. Find an ally, an upstander, to help you navigate that situation.
Senior Assistant of Administration & Communication Mary Rafferty: Don't allow someone to be mistreated when you have the power to help.
Judge Angel Kelley: Don't stay silent just because the behavior didn't impact you directly.
Judge Robert Foster: Stand up and speak up against bigotry wherever it happens.
Clerk of Courts Michael Sullivan: Whoever is involved
Assistant Chief Probation Officer Diane Barry: There is an opportunity every single day to be part of the solution.
Probation Officer Luis Aviles: The smallest act of patience, kindness, and acceptance empowers both the recipient and the actor in life-changing ways.
Deputy Commissioner for Pretrial Services Pamerson Ifill: Take a moment and think about a positive change in your day when someone you saw heard you and gifted you with the respect we all deserve.
Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court Kimberly Budd: Now appreciate the power you have to make the courts and the community the welcoming and respectful places they can be.
Retired Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey: Be an upstander. Stand up!
Judge Julie Bernard: Be an upstander.
Judge Mark Mason: Stand up.
Court Officer Kristopher James: Be an upstander.
Judge Jennifer Ulwick: Stand up.
Regional Assistant Director of Security Robin Yancey: Be an upstander.
Program Manager Matthew Cocciardi: Stand up.
Associate Probation Officer Cassandra Okai: Be an upstander.
Clerk Magistrate Adam Baler: Stand up.
Chief Experience & Diversity Officer John Laing: Be an upstander. Stand up.
Judge Susan Sullivan: Be an upstander.
Senior Assistant of Administration & Communication Mary Rafferty: Stand up.
Chief Court Officer Gerard Fahey: Don't be a bystander.
Statewide Probation Training Supervisor Patti Gavin: Stand up.
Clerk of Courts Michael Sullivan: Stand up.
Senior Assistant for Judicial Policy Jim Morton: Stand up.
Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court Kimberly Budd: Stand up.
Manager for Veterans Programs Jason Thomas: Stand up.
Judge Robert Foster: Stand up.
Probation Officer Luis Aviles: Stand up.
Deputy Commissioner for Pretrial Services Pamerson Ifill: Stand up.
[A picture of the late Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants with text that says, "In honor and loving memory of: Hon. Ralph D. Gants, Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, September 19, 1954 - September 14, 2020]
[Text that says, "Duty to Report: Workplace Compliance. Managers have an affirmative duty and responsibility to report any instances of discrimination, harassment, or marginalization based on a protected class to OWRC. Trial Court employees can and should seek the support of the Office of Workplace Rights and Compliance if they have a report of discrimination, harassment, or marginalization."]
[Text that says, "Call for Action. We're all responsible for creating an inclusive, supportive and respectful work environment that we all would like to work in."]
[Text that says, "Resources. The Office of Workplace Rights and Compliance (OWRC), contact WorkplaceRights@jud.state.ma.us or call 617-878-0411. The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Experience (ODEIE), contact DiversityInfo@jud.state.ma.us or call 617-878-0450."]
[Scrolling text that says, "Upstander Video: Cast members in order of first appearance: Trial Court Chief Justice Paula M. Carey (Ret.), Trial Court Chief Justice Jeffrey A. Locke, Court Administrator John Bello, Justice Dalila Wendlandt, Chief Justice Paul Dawley, Appeals Court Chief Justice Mark Green, U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley, Statewide Probation Supervisor Patti Gavin, Chief Justice John Casey, Associate Court Administrator Matthew Cocciardi, Project Coordinator for DEI Jessica Roman Alvarez, Judge Vickie Henry, Chief Probation Officer Donald Chausse, Judge Mark Mason, Commissioner of Probation Edward Dolan, Judge Susan Sullivan, Court Officer Kristopher James, Judge Valerie Yarashus, Chief Justice Robert Ronquillo, Chief Justice Amy Nechtem, Project Coordinator for EOTC Suzete Costa, Program Manager for EOTC Susan Lawlor, Senior Manager for DEI Taneekah Johnson, Judge Michael Bolden, Veterans Programs Coordinator Jason Thomas, Chief Justice Timothy Sullivan, Chief Probation Officer Michael Branch, First Assistant Clerk Magistrate Patrick Creedon, Chief Court Officer Gerard Fahey, Deputy Director for DEI Christina Maryland, Chief Justice Heidi Brieger, Court Officer for Appeals Court John W. Harrison III, Chief Justice Gordon Piper, Chief Experience & Diversity Officer John Laing, Senior Manager for Access to Justice Elizabeth Cerda, Director of Support Services & Law Libraries Sheriece Perry, Assistant Clerk Magistrate Amanda Ward, Clerk Magistrate Helen White, Project Coordinator for DEI Thayse Mendonca, Associate Probation Officer Cassandra Okai, Regional Assistant Director of Security Robin Yancey, Chief Justice Timothy Sullivan, Research Analyst Pavitra Chari, Judge Matthew Machera, Clerk Magistrate Adam Baler, Clerk Magistrate Anthony Owens, Executive Assistant Lindsay Foy, Judge David Weingarten, Executive Assistant to the Chief Justice Martha Veras, Judge Neil Sherring, Judge Julie Bernard, Head Administrative Assistant Ulisses Varela, Judge Catherine Ham, Deputy Court Administrator Benjamin Adeyinka, Judge Jennifer Ulwick, Senior Assistant of Administration & Communication Mary Rafferty, Judge Robert Foster, Clerk of Courts Michael Sullivan, Assistant Chief Probation Officer Diane Barry, Probation Officer Luis Aviles, Deputy Commissioner for Pretrial Services Pamerson Ifill, Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Kimberly Budd"]
[Scrolling text that says, "Script Adaptation & Planning Committee: U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley, Judge Susan Sullivan, Judge Valerie Yarashus, Chief Experience & Diversity Officer John Laing, Project Coordinator for DEI Jessica Roman Alvarez"]
[Scrolling text that says, "Production Committee: Chief Experience & Diversity Officer John Laing, Project Coordinator for DEI Jessica Roman Alvarez, DEI Intern Emily Bui"]
[Scrolling text that says, "Inspired by: Saint John's Preparatory School In Danvers, Massachusetts"]