Mayor Vincent C. Gray Calls for An Independent DC As July 4th is Reminder of City’s 2nd Class Status

(WASHINGTON, DC) — Mayor Vincent C. Gray wishes Washingtonians and fellow Americans a happy and safe Independence Day Wednesday and asks all to join the District of Columbia in its struggle for full independence. The Mayor notes that, as District residents and visitors will be celebrating the holiday and participating in the festivities, some residents and businesses may still be without electricity due to last Friday’s storm, and many dedicated city employees will spend their holiday working hard to return things to normal. 

“Independence Day in the nation’s capital is a magnificent experience and a time for all Americans to come together and celebrate their shared history,” said Mayor Gray. “The 618,000 residents of the District of Columbia will celebrate with fellow citizens and hope that someday soon all Americans will join us in celebrating our independence.

“Although the city is still recovering from the storm’s damage and power outages, I commend the resiliency and patience of District residents to adjust their lives in the midst of significant inconveniences. Some essential DC government employees will remain on the job, and I thank them for their diligence and commitment.”

The Mayor remains committed to working with advocates, Congress and the President to secure independence and full representation for DC residents, who pay more than $3.8 billion in federal taxes each year. 

Mayor Gray invites all supporters of freedom and democracy to march with him in the 45th Annual Palisades 4th of July Parade, stepping off from Lady Victory School, 4835 MacArthur Blvd, at 11 am on Wednesday.