Bristol County Superior Court to swear in new American Citizens in ceremony

The Bristol Superior Court will host its Seventh Annual Naturalization Oath Ceremony.

This ceremony is one of hundreds of events taking place across the state as part of the Massachusetts Trial Court’s Seventh Annual Cultural Appreciation Week, October 16-20.

Bristol Superior Court will host its Seventh Annual Naturalization Ceremony at the Fall River Justice Center, 186 South Main Street, on Friday, October 20, at 12 pm. where 20 men and women are scheduled to take an Oath of Allegiance to become American Citizens.

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. Students, enrolled in the Multilingual Learners Program at the Fall River Public Schools, will attend the ceremony.

Honorable Judge Raffi Yessayan will preside over the ceremony. The men and women who are scheduled to take the oath hail from Brazil, Cabo Verde, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Finland, Greece, Haiti, Iran, Ireland, Jamaica, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.

“We are looking forward to a wonderful celebration of diversity with the many cultures that make up Bristol County” said Bristol Superior Chief Probation Officer Robert Blackburn.

In addition to the Naturalization Ceremony, Bristol Superior Court will be among the more than 70 courts, court offices and departments, and Community Justice Support Centers 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.