Massachusetts Civil Rights Act
Everyone has the right to be free from Harassment and Family Violence
Every citizen has the responsibility to uphold these rights.
If you are harassed because of your race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation, civil rights laws offer you protection. You can seek a court order when your rights are interfered with by force, threat, or intimidation. Any damage to your property or threat of injury to your person is a crime under many laws. Concord and Carlisle police are well-trained in dealing with ‘hate crimes’ and domestic violence, and should be called immediately.
The Massachusetts Civil Rights Act also protects a citizen’s rights to:
- look for and obtain housing
- live in any neighborhood
- use public transportation
- seek and perform work
- use buildings such as restaurants, hotels, and hospitals
- participate in court proceedings (give evidence, be a witness, be a juror)
- hold, attend, publicize, or speak at a meeting, assembly, or demonstration
- attend and participate in the religious service of their choice
- not have excessive force used by the police
Why the Rapid Response Network formed
We consider discrimination or harassment based upon gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, and disability, as well as race and national origin, to be intolerable. We strongly believe that each and every form of discrimination creates a barrier to real equality and freedom for us all.
The Council wants to ensure that every resident or visitor to the Concord-Carlisle community knows his or her rights, and can find support if ever harassed, attacked, or is the victim of any kind of domestic violence.
Therefore, we have established a mechanism through which support will be mobilized within the towns of Concord and Carlisle when human rights violations occur. Our goals are to send civil rights violators a clear and immediate message that their actions are unacceptable, and to let the victims know that they are valued, supported, and welcomed into our community.
To this end, we have set up a network of concerned individuals who agree to work together when harassment, violence, and discrimination occur.
If you are a victim of harassment or discrimination, the Rapid Response Network would like to help.
We will
- Immediately put you in touch with those who can help
- Work closely with the police or school officials to see that a thorough and effective investigation is carried out
- Pressure organizations or businesses to change any discriminatory policies or practices, and support their efforts to discipline and educate any employees who violate the civil rights of others
- Assist in the removal of offensive graffiti and, if necessary, in the repair of damaged property
- Solicit support from the community by writing letters to the newspapers and appropriate authorities
In order to protect your privacy, we will take action only with your specific permission.
Who to Contact
- Call the Police: 911
- Call the CODE Hotline: 978-371-0706
(They will alert the Rapid Response Network of the Human Rights Council.)
The Climate of the Community is the Responsibility of the Citizens of the Community