Photo by @mayorvincegray

Mayor Vince Gray took the opportunity afforded to him as a participant in the inaugural parade to again make a statement about D.C.’s lack of voting rights.

Trailing President Obama, Gray held a sign bearing the same message painted on the outside of the Wilson Building’s reviewing stand: “A More Perfect Union Must Include Full Democracy in D.C.” Much as some critics have said the message was muddled to begin with, it’s questionable whether anyone could actually read what was on Gray’s sign—it was printed in relatively small font.

Josh Burch, a Ward 5 resident who has quietly been advocating for statehood in recent years, said he wished that D.C. officials had chosen a more definitive and clear message for the reviewing stand and, by extension, Gray’s sign.

“While I’m glad the District is sending a message about the disenfranchisement of 632,000 American citizens, I am disappointed that they chose a long-winded and vague message. The message on the viewing stand does not tell the country what we precisely want; it reflects a set of principles, but not a tangible goal,” he said.