>> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON," AS THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE RALLY TOGETHER TO PUSH BACK RUSSIAN INVADERS, AND NEARLY EVERY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD RALLIES AGAINST VLADAMIR PUTIN, THE DIRECTOR OF HARVARD'S CENTER FOR UKRAINIAN RESEARCH, SERHII PLOKHII, JOINS ME ON A REMARKABLE PEOPLE AND A MURDEROUS FOE.

THEN, LATER, A FORMER HARVARD LAW SCHOOL FRIEND OF FEDERAL JUDGE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON, ON HER HISTORIC NOMINATION TO THE SUPREME COURT.

AND FINALLY, 14 YEAR OLD JOHNATHAN COUCELOS, WHO ACCUSED SEVERAL OF HIS WOBURN HIGH FOOTBALL TEAMMATES OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING, BULLYING, AND THREATENING HIM.

HE JOINS ME FOR HIS FIRST TV INTERVIEW, AFTER THE NEW ACCUSATION THAT SCHOOL KNEW ABOUT COMPLAINTS LIKE HIS FOR YEARS AND DID NOTHING.

♪ ♪ ♪ >> Braude: IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO OVERSTATE THE MAGNITUDE AND HISTORIC NATURE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW ON THE WORLD STAGE.

OUTNUMBERED AND OUT-ARMED, UKRANIANS ARE PUTTING UP A HELL OF A FIGHT AGAINST RUSSIAN INVADERS.

BUT THEY'RE ALSO CALLING FOR OUTSIDE HELP-- NOW.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKY HAS FORMALLY REQUESTED MEMBERSHIP WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION, WHICH HE'S CALLING TO BE FAST-TRACKED.

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY, THE E.U.

IS BUYING AND DELIVERING WEAPONS TO UKRAINE.

IN ANOTHER HISTORIC FIRST, SWITZERLAND IS FOREGOING ITS USUAL STANCE OF "SWISS NEUTRALITY" AND IS ADOPTING THE SAME SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA AS THE REST OF THE E.U.

THIS AFTERNOON, THE U.N. GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONVENED IN AN EMERGENCY SESSION FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 40 YEARS TO ADDRESS ALL THIS.

AND THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT ANNOUNCED IT'S OPENING AN INVESTIGATION INTO POSSIBLE WAR CRIMES AND CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY IN UKRAINE.

AND WHILE RUSSIAN AND UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS DID HOLD A FIRST ROUND OF PEACE TALKS TODAY, WITH SUPPOSEDLY MORE TO COME, PUTIN HAS PUT RUSSIA'S NUCLEAR FORCES ON ALERT-- EVEN AS HE FACES GROWING, AND COURAGEOUS UNREST AT HOME-- WITH MANY RUSSIAN CITIZENS PROTESTING IN THE STREETS.

I'M JOINED BY SERHII PLOKHII, THE DIRECTOR OF THE UKRAINIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE, AND A PROFESSOR OF UKRAINIAN HISTORY AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY.

PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME.

>> Braude: A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO MOST PEOPLE ON THE WORLD STAGE WERE SAYING, THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE WOULD BE OVERWHELMED IN A NUMBER OF DAYS, ZELENSKYY WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO LEAD THE COUNTRY THROUGH THIS PHASE, BUT NOBODY IS SAYING THAT YOU NO.

WOULD YOU BE SURPRISEBY THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE AND THEIR LEADER?

>> ALL SURPRISED AND NOT AT THE SAME TIME.

I CERTAINLY KNEW THAT UKRAINIANS WOULD RESIST SO I KNEW THAT QUITE WELL FROM MY FRIENDS FROM MY COLLEAGUES.

I WAS SURPRISED THAT THEY WERE ACTUALLY ABLE TO OVERCOME DIFFERENCES, POLITICAL, REGIONAL AND OTHERWISE.

BUT REALLY DIVIDED THE COUNTRY EVEN A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE START OF THE INVASION.

AND ALL UNITE AROUND THE MIDDLE, THAT BEFORE THAT WAS VERY DIVISIVE IN THAT COUNTRY.

>> Braude: YES.

>> BUT NOW ALL POLITICAL PARTIES, ALL MAJOR LEADERS, MILITARY, CIVILIANS, ARE BEHIND PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY.

>> Braude: AMAZING INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT I SHOULD SAY.

NOT LONG BEFORE THE INVASION ZELENSKYY WAS ACCUSING THE WEST, HE ACTUALLY USED THE WORD OF APPEASEMENT OF RUSSIA OBVIOUSLY.

DO THE CROONTS AND THEIR LEADER FEEL THE WEST IS DOING ENOUGH TO COME TO THEIR SUPPORT?

>> THEY'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE FOR WHAT IS HAPPENING.

BUT THEY -- THEY WANT CERTAINLY MORE.

THEY WANT MORE SUPPORT.

THE ONE SPECIFIC ISSUE THAT THEY WANT AT THIS TIME IS TO CLOSE SKIES OVER UKRAINE, WHICH -- AND THERE IS ALMOST KIND OF A SAYING THEY'RE GOING TO ENCLOSE THE SKIES AND WE'LL DO THE REST.

SO THAT IS THE MOST IMMEDIATE REQUEST.

AGAIN, THERE IS NO CERTAINLY ILLUSION THAT NATO WOULD INTERFERE IN ANY OTHER WAY.

BUT THEY, AS PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY SAID, HE DIDN'T NEED A RIGHT WHEN HE WAS OFFERED TO BE SOMEHOW TAKEN AWAY FROM THE CAPITAL OF UKRAINE.

HE NEED AMMUNITION.

SO ONE OF THE -- >> Braude: ONE OF THE BEST LINES I'VE EVER HEARD IN INTERNATIONAL CRISIS, BRINGS YANT AND ON POINT.

I'M SURE EVERYBODY KNOWS, THE TWO SIDES MID LEVEL MET TODAY ON THE BELAARUSSIAN BORDER.

IS THERE A POINT THAT WOULD PROVIDE AN OFF RAMP FOR PUTIN?

>> I HOPE THERE WILL BE REACHED AND AGREEMENT.

WHAT I'M SURE ABOUT IS THE CONDITIONS WITHOUT AGREEMENT WOULD BE VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE ONES THAT WOULD BE REACHED ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE INVASION WHEN PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY SPECIFICALLY SAID THAT, WELL, WE ARE NOT MEMBERS OF NATO SO WE REALLY HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BY NEGOTIATING IN NEUTRAL STATUS FOR OUR COUNTRY.

AND NOW, AFTER UKRAINIANS RESISTED, AFTER ARMY SHOWED ITSELF CAPABLE OF FIGHTING BACK, I'M NOT SURE THAT THAT CAN SERVE AS THE PLATFORM FOR THE NEGOTIATIONS.

IT CAN BE, THE SITUATION HAS CHANGED QUITE DRAMATICALLY IN THE LAST FEW DAYS.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW SPEAKING OF CHANGE DRAMATICALLY AND THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM IS PUTIN NEVER EXPECTED THIS LEVEL OF RESISTANCE, A LOT OF PEOPLE, MYSELF INCLUDED, HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THE MISTAKE THAT THE UNITED STATES MADE IN IRAQ.

WHAT WE LEARNED AFTER THE FACT IS REGIME CHANGE IS THE EASY PART, HOLDING ON TO THE COUNTRY AFTER REGIME CHANGE IS NOT SO EASY.

WHAT'S YOUR SENSE, IF THE WORST WERE TO HAPPEN AND ZELENSKYY WERE REMOVED BY THE RUSSIANS AND A PUPPET PUT IN PLACE, WHAT WOULD YOU THINK HAPPENS AFTER THAT, WITH THE UKRAINIAN POPULATION, WITH A RUSSIAN LEADERSHIP?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, WE KNOW GOVERNMENT, PRESIDENT, PARLIAMENT, GOVERNMENT, ANY KIND OF GOVERNMENT, WOULD BE CONSIDERED TO BE LEGITIMATE.

BY UKRAINIANS.

AND THIS IS A BIG ISSUE.

UKRAINIANS WOULD BE PUT BACK IN MAYBE THE MOST NATURAL POSITION IN WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, THE UKRAINIAN NATION CAME INTO EXISTENCE IN OPPOSITION TO DIFFERENT REGIMES AND DIFFERENT EMPIRES AND DIFFERENT GOVERNMENTS THAT WERE NOT CONSIDERED TO BE LEGITIMATE.

UKRAINIANS DO VERY WELL ALL FORMS OF RESISTANCE TO THE REGIMES AND TO THE GOVERNMENT THAT ARE NOT THEIRS.

THEY HAVE MAYBE HAVE A CHALLENGE, LIVING IN A STATE OF THEIR OWN IN THE SENSE OF THERE CAN BE DIVISIONS.

BUT ONCE THERE IS AN OUTSIDE FORCE, I MEAN, THEY'RE ALL UNITED LIKE THEY ARE EURND TODAY.

>> Braude: -- UNITED TODAY.

>> Braude: OF COURSE EVERYBODY HOPES THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

I'M ASSUMING YOU HAVE FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN UKRAINE.

IF YOU DO HOW ARE THEY SURVIVALLING THESE DAYS?

-- FINING THESE DAYS?

>> I'M TALKING TO MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY, TO MY SISTER IN PARTICULAR.

IT'S VERY TENSE.

THERE IS SHELLING IN THE CITY WHERE SHE LIVES, I WILL NOT NAME THE CITY BUT IT IS CLOSED NOW TO THE FRONT LINE.

THE FRONT LINE IS MOVING THERE.

SO EACH MORNING, WE START A CONVERSATION SAYING OKAY, HOW WAS THE NIGHT?

DID YOU SLEEP?

SO OKAY, ONE MORE DAY PLUS, THANK GOD IT WAS A GOOD DAY.

LET'S HOPE THE NEXT NIGHT WOULD BE GOOD.

SO THAT IS -- YOU JUST LIVE ONE TODAY AT A TIME, ONE NIGHT AT A TIME.

AND I'M SURE THIS IS THE SITUATION IN MANY PARTS OF UKRAINE.

>> Braude: WELL I WISH YOUR FAMILY, YOUR SISTER IN PARTICULAR SECURITY INTO THE LONG HAUL AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND YOUR TIME.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IT WAS A PLEASURE.

JOE BIDEN PROMISED TO NOMINATE THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO THE SUPREME COURT, AND ON FRIDAY, HE DID JUST THAT, NAMING FEDERAL APPEALS COURT, JUDGE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON, AS HIS PICK TO SUCCEED JUSTICE STEPHEN BREYER, FOR WHOM SHE CLERKED EARLY IN HER CAREER.

JACKSON IS A HARVARD GRAD, HAS SERVED ON THE COMMISSION THAT DEVELOPS FEDERAL SENTENCING POLICY AND, IF CONFIRMED, SHE WOULD ALSO BE THE FIRST FORMER PUBLIC DEFENDER ON THE HIGH COURT.

I'M JOINED BY NJERI RUTLEDGE A LAW PROFESSOR AT SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE OF LAW HOUSTON, WHO ATTENDED HARVARD LAW WITH JUDGE JACKSON, WHERE THEY WERE BOTH ACTIVE IN THE HARVARD BLACK LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION.

PLEASURE TO MEET YOU.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> Braude: YOU WROTE A GREAT PIECE ABOUT THIS IN THE HILL.

YOU SAID YOU WERE DRIVING YOUR DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL WHEN YOU HEARD THE NEWS.

WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION?

>> JOY.

PURE JOY.

PRIDE.

MY DAUGHTER KEPT SAYING, MOMMY, PULL OVER, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY PHONE WAS BEEPING, BEEPING, AND I WAS TRYING TO READ THE MESSAGES AND I JUST WANTED YOU KNOW THE FINAL WORD.

NOW I HAD HEARD THAT THE PRESIDENT WAS GOING TO MAKE HIS DECISION THURSDAY.

SO I WAS ALREADY GETTING PINGS BUT NO ONE KNEW WHO IT WAS GOING TO BE.

AT LEAST THEY DIDN'T TELL ME SO I WAS JUST OVERJOYED.

>> Braude: AND IS YOUR DAUGHTER OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE A REACTION TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT OR JUST TO YOUR REACTION TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT?

>> A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH.

MY DAUGHTER IS 12 YEARS OLD.

>> Braude: OH.

>> THIS IS THE IMPORTANCE OF REPRESENTATION.

I ACTUALLY ASKED HER WHY SHE THOUGHT IT MATTERED THAT A BLACK WOMAN WAS GOING TO BE TON SUPREME COURT.

AND I WAS REALLY PROUD OF HER ANSWER.

SHE SAID IT MEANS THAT IT SHOWS THE WORLD THAT WE CAN DO MORE THAN PERFORM AND COOK.

THAT THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT WE CAN DO AND SO MANY DOORS THAT ARE OPEN.

SO I THINK SHE REALLY DOES HAVE A GREAT UNDERSTANDING.

>> Braude: MY FAVORITE LINE I'VE READ ABOUT THE JUDGE SINCE SHE FIRST STARTED BEING CONSIDERED MAYBE A MONTH AGO WAS YOURS ON THE HILL.

I'M GOING TO READ IT.

YOU'RE PART OF THE BLACK LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION TOGETHER.

HERE IS YOUR QUOTE.

BEING BRILLIANT IS NOT ONE I ENCOUNTERED AT HARVARD LAW SCHOOL.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ELABORATE?

>> I'M FROM THE SOUTH AND HARVARD AND BOSTON WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A TRANSITION.

AT THERE WERE A LOT OF REALLY SMART PEOPLE.

BUT IT WAS -- THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE WHO WERE A BIT CUTTHROAT, THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT VERY FRIENDLY, THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE WHO WERE ARROGANT.

BECAUSE I ALWAYS CONSIDERED MYSELF FAIRLY LIKE MINDED I GRAVITATED IS TO PEOPLE WHO WERE OF THE SAME MIND.

KETANJI WAS BRILLIANT AND HARDWORKING.

>> Braude: YOU WROTE OF ALL THE PEOPLE YOU ENCOUNTERED IN HARVARD.

SHE'S GOING TO ENCOUNTER 100 SENATORS, FIRST JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND MORE.

THIS IS IN ONE OF THE THREE REPUBLICAN SENATORS WHO ACTUALLY VOTED FOR HER QUIRMTS IN THE APPEALS COURT, LINDSAY GRAHAM OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

IF MEDIA REPORTS ARE ACCURATE, AND JUDGE JACKSON HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS THE SUPREME COURT NOMINEE TO REPLACE JUSTICE BREYER, IT MEANS THE RADICAL LEFT HAS WON PRESIDENT BIDEN OVER YET AGAIN.

I REPEAT, THIS IS SOMEBODY WHO VOTED FOR HER RECENTLY.

WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION WHAT SENATOR GRAHAM HAD TO SAY?

>> I'M NOT SURPRISED, POLITICS AS USUAL.

I THINK IF ANYONE WERE TO GIVE JUDGE JACKSON A FAIR CONSIDERATION, THERE IS NO QUESTION, THAT SHE IS EXTREMELY QUALIFIED AND WELL DESERVING OF THIS POSITION.

BUT IF YOU WANT TO JUST KIND OF FOLLOW THE RANK AND FILE OF WHATEVER THE REPUBLICAN TALKING POINTS ARE, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO SAY, THINGS LIKE THAT.

HIS STATEMENT WAS DISAPPOINTING, I'M IMAGINING THAT HERE IS SOME SIMILARLY FOOLISH THINGS FROM TED CRUZ AND ALSO MITCH McCONNELL.

>> Braude: THOSE PEOPLE WERE TALKING ABOUT AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND JUDGE JACKSON IS NOT ONE OF THE SMARTEST PEOPLE IN THE ROOM.

AOL ANOTHER THING THAT SURPRISED AND UPSET ME MORE THAN SENATOR GRAHAM, LET ME READ TO, IT'S THE AP POLL.

70 E-70% OF BLACK WOMEN YES, BLACK MEN 54, WHITE WOMEN 26, WHITE MEN 16%.

VIRTUALLY NOT IMPORTANT AT ALL.

WHAT IS THAT SAY TO YOU ABOUT AMERICA IN 2022?

AND AGAIN I ASSUME EVERYBODY WATCHING KNOWS THERE'S NEVER BEEN A BLACK WOMAN ON THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES AND I THINK IT'S A TOTAL OF SEARCH NON-WHITE MEN IN THE HISTORY OF THE SUPREME COURT IF I'M RIGHT.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THAT?

>> A BIT DISAPPOINTED.

IT HAS BEEN 233 YEARS OF THE SUPREME COURT'S HISTORY WHERE WE HAVE NEVER HAD A BLACK WOMAN.

I THINK PERHAPS THE COUNTRY IS A BIT FATIGUED.

WE WENT FROM ELECTING OUR FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT, WITH EVERYONE FEELING HOPEFUL AND EXCITED, TO GOING TO A VERY DIFFERENT DIRECTION WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

AND I THINK PERHAPS SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST FATIGUED AND I THINK APATHETIC.

I THINK NECESSARILY THEY DON'T WANT A BLACK WOMAN ON THE SUPREME COURT, WE ARE OF A MINDSET OF BEING SELF CENTERED, IT IMPACTS THEM DIRECTLY, I THINK PEOPLE DON'T CARE, AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO CARE.

THIS IS NOT JUST A VICTORY OF BLACK WOMEN OR BLACK AMERICANS, THIS IS A GREAT VICTORY FOR EVERYONE WHO RESPECTS THE CONSTITUTION.

>> Braude: TWO VERY QUICK FINAL QUESTIONS ABOUT HER AS SHE DEALT WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND YOU MENTIONED THE KINDNESS FACTOR.

WE KNOW THAT WHEN NOMINEE CARCHG WASKAVANAUGH CRIED AND ACTED LIKE A CHILD, NOT EXACTLY A JUDICIAL TEMPERAMENT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

HOW DOES JUDGE JACKSON RESPOND TO CRITICISM?

>> SHE'S GOING TO RESPOND PERFECTLY TO CRITICISM.

AS A BLACK FEMALE, IN THE LEGAL FIELD, WE DEAL WITH SO MANY MICROAGGRESSIONS EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I MEAN, JUST THE WHOLE TALK ABOUT THIS IS JUST A QUOTA PICK OR AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PICK IS VERY INSULTING AND IT TRIES TO MINIMIZE ALL THE GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS SHE'S HAD AND.

SHE'S GOING TO TAKE IT IN STRIDE.

SHE'S USED TO DEALING WITH A VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, AND IN THE END SHE HAS A REPUTATION AS A CONSENSUS BUILDER.

SHE KNOWS HOW TO WORK WITH PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT MIND SETS.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE HYSTERICS OF JUDGE JACKS -- JACKSON.

WE'LL SEE A PERSON WHO IS POISED AND WILL ARTICULATE EVERY QUESTION HEADED HER WAY.

>> Braude: SOMEONE BRILLIANT AND DOWN TO EARTH I'LL GIVE YOU A CALL, FAIR ENOUGH?

>> IF YOU MEET JUDGE JACKSON YOU WILL.

>> Braude: READ YOUR PIECE IN THE HILL EVERYBODY.

IT IS A TERRIFIC PIECE ABOUT THE JUDGE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

A FEW WEEKS BACK, WE LEARNED THAT POLICE WERE FILING CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST SEVERAL STUDENTS ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING A FRESHMAN FOOTBALL PLAYER AT WOBURN HIGH SCHOOL THIS PAST FALL, VIDEO OF WHICH WAS CIRCULATED ON SOCIAL MEDIA AFTERWARD.

14 YEAR OLD JOHNATHAN COUCELOS SAID HE WAS JUMPED BY TEAMMATES IN THE LOCKER ROOM, PUNCHED, HIT WITH WATER BOTTLES AND THAT SOMEONE PULLED DOWN HIS PANTS AND GRABBED HIS GENITALS.

JUST ONE OF SEVERAL ASSAULTS, THREATS AND INSTANCES OF BULLYING AGAINST HIM.

BUT NOW THE "BOSTON GLOBE" IS REPORTING THAT WOBURN HIGH OFFICIALS KNEW OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT ASSAULT AND HAZING IN THEIR FOOTBALL PROGRAM FOR YEARS, AND DID NOTHING ABOUT IT.

THE "GLOBE" FOUND THAT IN 2018, A 15 YEAR OLD PLAYER WAS "KICKED SO HARD IN THE HEAD BY A TEAMMATE THAT HE STUMBLED, DAZED, FROM THE PRACTICE FIELD AND VOMITED."

AND AFTER THAT?

HIS COACH, JACK BELCHER, TOLD HIM TO GET BACK ON THE PRACTICE FIELD.

THAT INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO SCHOOL OFFICIALS, BUT THE BOY'S PARENTS SAY THE SCHOOL FAILED TO CORRECT BELCHER'S COACHING AND OTHER FORMER PLAYERS AND PARENTS TOLD THE "GLOBE" THAT BELCHER OFTEN ENCOURAGED OLDER TEAMMATES TO "TOUGHEN UP" YOUNGER ONES.

I'M JOINED BY JOHNATHAN COUCELOS, ALONG WITH HIS PARENTS KEVIN AND JEANNY COUCELOS AND THEIR ATTORNEY, PETER HAHN.

WE ALSO REACHED OUT TO COACH BELCHER AND WOBURN HIGH PRINCIPAL JESSICA CALLANAN, BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK, AS OF THIS TAPING.

WE DID HEAR FROM WOBURN SUPERINTENDENT MATTHEW CROWLEY, WHO SENT A STATEMENT THAT WE'LL GET TO IN A FEW MINUTES.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING ME TONIGHT.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU JIM.

>> Braude: I WANT TO START BY COMPLIMENTING YOU ON YOUR COURAGE TO COME FORWARD.

I KNOW HOW TOUGH IT IS.

AFTER THE SEPTEMBER 25th INCIDENT, THE BULLYING AND HARASSMENT DID NOT STOP DID IT JOHNATHAN?

>> NO.

NO.

>> Braude: WHAT KINDS OF THINGS DID YOU ENCOUNTER?

>> I WOULD BE GETTING ASSAULTED.

I WOULD GET HARASSED.

>> Braude: AND YOU GOT A TEXT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, YOU SAY, FROM SOMEONE, A FELLOW STUDENT I THINK SOMEONE ON THE FOOTBALL TEAM WHO ASKED IF YOU WANTED TO BE RAPED AGAIN.

IS THAT TRUE?

>> YES.

>> Braude: HOW HAS THIS AFFECTED YOU PERSONALLY JOHNATHAN?

>> I LOST HALF OF MY FRIENDS.

LIKE IT'S -- IT DOESN'T FEEL THE SAME ANYMORE TO BE OUT IN PUBLIC.

>> Braude: AND HOW ABOUT YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE?

IS IT HARDER?

IS IT DIFFERENT?

I MEAN -- >> IT'S JUST DIFFERENT FOR ME.

EVERYTHING CHANGED.

I USED TO WAKE UP AND GO OUT WITH LIKE HALF OF MY FRIENDS AND NOW I'M JUST LOCKED UP IN MY ROOM AND FINALLY GOING INTO A DIFFERENT SCHOOL.

BUT -- >> Braude: YOU KNOW JEANY AND KEVIN I WANT TO START WITH YOU, JEANNY HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HOW THE SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS RESPONDED TO ALL OF THIS?

>> I'M GOING TO SPEAK AS A PARENT, AND MYSELF AS A TEACHER, I WOULD EXPECT AS -- EVEN THOUGH IF A PRINCIPAL OR A TEACHER THAT THEY WOULD COME OUT AND HELP ANY TYPE OF CHILDREN IN THE SITUATION.

I JUST FEEL I MEAN SINCE ALL THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING I'VE BEEN FEELING VERY EMOTIONAL AT TIMES.

I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING A LOT OF ANXIETY, I HAVE TWO LITTLE OLDER -- LITTLE ONES AS WELL AND ONE WHERE HE GOES TO SCHOOL BY HIMSELF WITH NO SIBLING.

I'M JUST LIKE NOW LIKE OFF GUARD.

I'M NERVOUS OF WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT.

>> Braude: KEVIN LET ME READ TO YOU SOMETHING I'M SURE YOU'VE SEEN.

THE WOBURN PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT MATTHEW CROWLEY SENT THIS TO THE COMMUNITY >> I WISH TO BE UNEQUIVOCAL IN THE FACT THAT I JOIN EVERY MEMBER OF THE W.P.S.

ADMINISTRATION IN CONDEMNING PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN ALL FORMS.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO A THOROUGH, MULTIFACETED FACT-FINDING OPERATION, AND WE PLEDGE TO BE FORTHCOMING REGARDING THE RESULTS OF THOSE INVESTIGATIONS AND TO ENACT THEIR FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

AND SEVERAL MONTHS EARLIER IN DECEMBER 17th, IN A STATEMENT TO THE GLOBE, CROWLEY SAID, >> WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND SUPPORT STUDENT AND FAMILY.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO WHAT CROWLEY HAD TO SAY?

>> THAT'S A COMPLETE LIE.

THERE IS NO SUPPORT, THEY DIDN'T GIVE MY SON OR US ANY SUPPORT WHATSOEVER.

IT'S JUST SO WRONG OF HOW THEY'RE HANDLING IT.

IT GETS ME EMOTIONAL EVERY TIME I HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THIS BECAUSE HOW THE SCHOOL SYSTEM COMPLETELY FAILED TO PROTECT ONE OF THEIR STUDENTS.

US AS A PARENT WHEN WE DROP OUR KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL, THEY'RE IN CHARGE OF OUR KIDS.

THEY FAILED.

>> Braude: PETER, CAN I GET YOU INTO THIS CONVERSATION?

WHAT IS THE STATUS?

MY UNDERSTANDING IS, CHARGES WERE BROUGHT AGAINST SEVEN OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.

WHAT'S THE -- AM I RIGHT ABOUT THAT, AND WHAT'S THE STATUS OF THOSE CHARGES?

>> JIM, FIRST OF ALL YOU ASKED KEVIN AND JEANNY ABOUT THAT STATEMENT AND HOW THEY'RE DOING.

IN TERMS OF CROWLEY'S STATEMENT, THAT IS WAY TOO LITTLE, WAY TOO LATE.

THE FIRST EVENT, THE ASSAULT IN THE LOCKER ROOM HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 25th.

>> Braude: YES.

>> AND JOHNATHAN IMMEDIATELY REPORTED IT TO A COACH AND NOTHING HAPPENED.

ON OCTOBER 12th, THE FAMILY WENT TO THE POLICE AND THINGS APPEARED TO BE LIKE THINGS WERE GOING TO HAPPEN.

BUT THE POLICE CLAIMED THAT THEY WERE DOING AN INVESTIGATION.

AND IT TOOK PRESSURE FROM US ON THE POLICE AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO ACTUALLY TRY TO BRING CHARGES AGAINST SEVEN STUDENTS, FIVE OF WHOM ASSAULTED JOHNATHAN IN THE LOCKER ROOM AND TWO WHO ASSAULTED HIM ON SUBSEQUENT DAYS.

SO IN DECEMBER WE WERE INFORMED OF THAT.

WE DON'T THINK THERE WERE ENOUGH CHARGES BY THE WAY AND THERE ARE NO CHARGES AGAINST ADULTS.

BUT THE POLICE FINALLY INFORMED US THAT IN FEBRUARY, THEY WERE GOING TO SEEK CHARGES THAT A CLERK AND MAGISTRATE'S HEARING AGAINST THOSE SEARCH STUDENTS AND MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WAS CONTINUED AT THE REQUEST OF AT LEAST ONE OF THE ATTORNEYS TO A MARCH DAYLIGHT.

SO RIGHT NOW MONTHS LATER THERE ARE NO CHARGES AGAINST ANY JUVENILES AND NO CHARGES BE SOUGHT AGAIN ANY ADULTS BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> Braude: AND WHAT EXPLANATION DO YOU GET AS TO THIS NO ACCOUNTABILITY, LEGAL ACCOUNTABILITY AT LEAST ON THE PART OF ADULTS?

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT PETER?

>> IT'S INFURIATING.

I KNOW IT IS OUTRAGEOUS, AND THE FAMILY WANTS TO PURSUE CHARGES AGAINST THE ADULTS THEMSELVES.

BECAUSE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ARE NOT DOING WHAT THEY SHOULD BE DOING BY PROTECTING JOHNATHAN AND SEEKING THOSE CHARGES THEMSELVES.

>> Braude: PETER, I MENTIONED THAT THE GLOBE IS REPORTING THAT THERE WERE INCIDENTS OF BULLYING IN PAST YEARS.

A STATEMENT PUT OUT AGAIN BY THE SCHOOL SYSTEM SAID THEY INVESTIGATED THOSE ALLEGATIONS.

THIS IS PRE-THE JOHNATHAN SITUATION AND THAT THEY WERE QUOTE, UNSUBSTANTIATED.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> WE KNOW THAT THE CULTURE OF THE WOBURN MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM ALLOWED WHAT HAPPENED TO JOHNATHAN IN SEPTEMBER AND AFTER THAT.

THAT GOES TO THE COACHES, IT GOES TO THE HEAD COACH, IT GOES TO THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR.

ALL OF THEM NEED TO BE HEALTH ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT THEY ALLOWED TO HAPPEN TO JOHNATHAN NOT ONLY BY THE CULTURE BUT BY THE LACK OF SUPERVISION WHEN THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SUPERVISION.

>> Braude: WHEN YOU SAY ACCOUNTABILITY DO YOU MEAN CRIMINAL ACCOUNTABILITY?

DO YOU MEAN JOB LOSS?

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN TERMS OF THE ADULTS IN THE SITUATION?

>> AT THE VERY LEAST JOB LOSS IF THERE WERE CRIMES THAT WERE COMMITTED THEN WE WANT THOSE CHARGES BROUGHT IN COURT.

>> Braude: PETER ONE LAST THING FOR YOU.

THE GLOBE REPORTS THAT TEN CAPTAINS, SOME JUNIORS, SOME SENIORS IN THE FOOTBALL TEAM IN THE WRITTEN STATEMENT CAME TO THE DEFENSE OF THE COACH OF BELCHER AND THE WHOLE COACHING TEAM.

WHAT'S YOUR REACTION?

BRING THE WAY, THEY GO TO SAYING THEY DON'T TOLERATE BUT YING BUT SEEM TO PRAISE OR AT LEAST COME TO THE SUPPORT OF THE COACHING STAFF.

>> I SEE FAVORITISM IN THAT JIM.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE GLOBE ARTICLE THERE ARE THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS TON FOOTBALL TEAM.

AND SO IT APPEARS THAT THE HAVES SUPPORT WHAT'S GOING ON AND THE HAVE NOTS BECOME THE VICTIMS.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW JOHNATHAN BACK TO YOU FOR A SECOND.

YOUR PARENTS ARE PORTUGUESE AND PUERTO RICAN.

THEY IDENTIFY AS PEOPLE OF COLOR.

YOU MADE A STATEMENT TO THE GLOBE IF YOU HAD BEEN WHITE, AND THE PEOPLE WHO ASSAULTED OR HARASSED YOU HAD BEEN PEOPLE OF COLOR, THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT OUTCOME.

WHAT DID YOU SAY AND WHAT DID YOU MEAN?

>> I'M PRETTY SURE I WOULD HAVE BEEN EXPELLED BY NOW.

>> Braude: SO YOU THINK THERE'S RACISM INVOLVED IN THIS TOO?

>> YES.

>> Braude: PARENTS DO YOU FEEL THE SAME WAY STARTING WITH YOU KEVIN?

DO YOU THINK THAT PART OF THE -- >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Braude: EXPAND ON THAT FOR ME.

WHY DO YOU SAY ABSOLUTELY?

>> JUST LIKE JOHNATHAN SAID, IF THIS WAS WHITE AND THIS HAPPENED TO ANOTHER WHITE TEAM MATE IT WOULD BE FINE.

BUT HOW HE IS RACE, COLOR, THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW KEVIN I LEAVE YOU, YOUR WIFE AND JOHNATHAN TALKED ABOUT HOW THEY'VE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS.

HOW'S YOUR LIFE CHANGED?

>> OH, IT DEFINITELY CHANGED BIG TIME.

>> Braude: HOW SO?

>> WORRIED ABOUT THEM, HONESTLY ON THE PHONE WITH THEM.

MAKING SURE HE'S SAFE.

HE'S EATING.

HE'S WAKING UP.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW PETER, FINALLY IN THE LAST MINUTE WE HAVE, WE TALK A LOT IN THIS SOCIETY ABOUT JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

YOU EXPLAIN WHAT YOU THOUGHT ACCOUNTABILITY WOULD BE, FOR THE PARENTS, WHAT IS AN OUTCOME, AN END RESULT THAT YOU THINK, I MEAN NOTHING WILL UNDO WHAT -- OBVIOUSLY WHAT WAS DONE TO JOHNATHAN AND HIS FAMILY.

WHAT IS A FAIR END RESULT HERE?

>> THERE NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE ADULTS WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT JOHNATHAN AND DID NOT.

SO THAT'S THE COACHING STAFF.

THAT'S THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, THAT'S THE PRAN WP THAT'S THE SUPERINTENDENT.

WE KNOW THAT -- THE FRAP, THAT'S THE SUPERINTENDENT.

WE KNOW THESE THINGS HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE, YETFUL OF THE ADULTS ARE STILL -- YET MANY OF THE ADULTS ARE STILL IN POSITIONS OF POWER WITH THE DISTRICT AND THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

WE HAVE GIVEN NOTICE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND TO THE CITY OF WOBURN THAT WE INTEND TO FILE A CIVIL LAWSUIT AGAINST WOBURN.

>> Braude: FAIR ENOUGH.

PETER, JOHNATHAN, KEVIN, JEANNY I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.

THE COACH AND THE SUPERINTENDENT I WOULD URGE YOU TO SHOW THE SAME LEVEL OF COURAGE JOHNATHAN HAD BY BEING HERE AND I INVITE ALL THREE OF YOU TO JOIN ME AS WELL.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME.

THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT, BUT COME BACK TOMORROW FOR A LOOK INSIDE ONE OF NEW ENGLAND'S BEST KEPT SECRETS, "WINTER SURFING."

THAT AND MORE, TOMORROW AT 7:00.

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND STAY SAFE.

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