In the year since 41 residents were arrested on Capitol Hill during a protest for D.C. voting rights and self-determination, the city has seen slow and uneven progress towards budget autonomy.

A fight over whether Mayor Vince Gray should appear as a defense witness led to the postponement of Ward 6 ANC Commissioner Keith Silver’s trial on disorderly conduct charges stemming from his arrest at a voting rights protest.

We reported yesterday that Mayor Vince Gray was going to be missing tomorrow’s rally for D.C. voting rights at the White House, leading some in the movement to grumble. Well, Gray seems to have changed his mind.

On June 15, Mayor Vince Gray tweeted: “Would like to see President Obama fight actively for DC autonomy. Door to Wilson Building always open to him.” The sentiment, which is loudly echoed by voting rights activists across the city, will be a central theme at a rally set for this Saturday in front of the White House. Gray, however, won’t be there.