A courtroom scene in Lawrence, Massachusetts, recently unfolded with a startling detail: the city’s own mayor required a translator to testify. The hearing centered around the appeal of a former acting police chief, but the focus quickly shifted to the mayor’s apparent inability to comfortably conduct proceedings in English.
Mayor Brian DePena’s need for translation arose during testimony supporting William Castro, whose credentials had been challenged following a 2024 traffic incident. Reports indicate Castro violated police pursuit policies and was later found to be untruthful about the chase, with a lack of independent investigation compounding the issue.
Video footage revealed DePena requesting a translator, a move that sparked immediate discussion. His first language is Spanish, and the request highlighted a growing linguistic shift within the city itself.
The judge initially denied DePena’s request to use his personal assistant as a translator, citing concerns about potential inaccuracies and the complexities of legal interpretation. The court ultimately provided an official interpreter to ensure clarity and precision.
Lawrence, once a thriving manufacturing hub, has undergone a dramatic demographic transformation. Today, over 80% of its approximately 89,000 residents identify as Hispanic, fundamentally altering the city’s cultural landscape.
This shift is deeply intertwined with DePena’s own story. Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, he immigrated to New York in the early 1980s, seeking opportunity, and later settled in Lawrence in 1989.
DePena’s election as mayor in 2021, and his subsequent re-election in November, reflect the changing demographics and priorities of the city. However, Massachusetts currently lacks any legal requirement for mayors to be fluent in English.
The incident raises questions about communication and representation within a rapidly evolving community. It underscores the challenges and complexities of serving a diverse population, and the evolving definition of civic leadership in a modern American city.
