Somerville, MA – In a bizarre turn of events, City Councilor Willie Burnley Jr., who is currently campaigning for mayor, has been accused of trespassing at Assembly Row, a mixed-use development in Somerville. According to an eyewitness account, Burnley was allegedly caught breaking and entering into a private residence at 333 Great River Road early on a Sunday morning by knocking on the resident’s apartment door and opening it. The trespassing was caught on video.
The incident reportedly culminated in him being escorted off the property, raising questions about his conduct as he seeks higher office.
Burnley, a progressive councilor at-large and vocal advocate for economic, environmental, and social justice, announced his candidacy for mayor in February 2025, challenging incumbent Katjana Ballantyne and fellow Councilor Jake Wilson in what promises to be a competitive race. His platform emphasizes tenant rights, pedestrian safety, and union support, drawing on his background as a former union steward and community organizer. However, this recent allegation could cast a shadow over his campaign, with critics labeling him a “total loser” unfit for leadership…