“Mission Accomplished” anniversary brings protesters to call on Norm

Protesters gathered outside Sen. Norm Coleman’s office this afternoon to mark the fifth anniversary of President Bush’s infamous “Mission Accomplished” photo-op aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.

“Five years later mothers and fathers are still welcoming their children home in bodybags,” said Muriel K. Vaughan, of Women’s Political Alliance.”Norm Coleman must denounce this endless war and demand an exit strategy.”

Judith Prior, whose son just returned from a second tour in Iraq with the Air Force, spoke about the personal impact the war has had on her family. “I stood here five years ago and begged Norm Coleman not to vote for this war,” she said. “Enough is enough.”

Vaughan and Prior, along with about a dozen other protesters, then walked into Coleman’s office to hand over a 36-page plan, based largely on recommendations from the Iraq Study Group, to end the occupation. They met briefly with the senator’s state director, Vicki Tigwell, in the office lobby. Tigwell smiled curtly and didn’t say much. “Thanks for coming by,” she managed.