Christian Groups Plan Rose Rally for Terri Schiavo

Twelve top Christian and pro-family groups are planning a “Rose Rally for Terri” event where protestors will hold 1,000 long stemmed roses reading “No food or water” to explain what will happen to Terri unless legislators intervene

By Pauline J. Chang, Christian Post Reporter Monday, March 07, 2005

Twelve pro-family organizations, including the Family Research Council, Coral Ridge Ministries and Focus on the Family, will stage a “rose rally” for Terri Schiavo on Sunday, March 13, 2005 – just five days before her feeding tube is scheduled for removal.

At the 3 p.m. rally, held on the steps of the Florida state “old” capitol in the capitol courtyard, participants will hold 1,000 long-stemmed red roses that will be delivered the next day to Florida lawmakers. Each of the roses will bear a note reading: “No food or water” to explain what will be done to Terri unless legislators intervene on her behalf.

Speakers at the event include Ken Connor, a Florida attorney who defended Terri’s Law for Gov. Jeb Bush; Robert and Mary Schindler, Terri’s parents who have been fighting for over 7 years to defend their daughter’s right to life; and Dr. Gary Cass, executive director of the Center for Reclaiming America.

Dr. Cass, who last month delivered the names of 100,000 people who signed an online petition on behalf of Terri Schiavo to the Florida governor’s office, explained that the fight is not about saving just one life.

"This is both a life and death struggle for Terri Schiavo and a watershed fight for all disabled people," said Dr. Cass. "The prospect of a long, painful death from starvation and dehydration that may commence for Terri Schiavo just 11 days from now sends an ominous signal to people with disabilities nationwide. No just society can allow such cruel and inhumane treatment to take place--especially on such a flimsy and ill-founded legal foundation."

Cosponsors to the Rose Rally for Terri are: The Center for a Just Society, the Center for Reclaiming America, Christian Law Association, Christian Coalition, Coral Ridge Ministries, Eagle Forum of Florida, Family Research Council, Florida Family Policy Council, Florida Right to Life, Focus on the Family, Liberty Counsel, and the National Right to Life Committee.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, supporters of Terri’s fight will gather in front of the hospice where she is living for a “Prayer Vigil and Rally for Life, Truth, Justice”.

Individuals and groups participating in the rally include: Patricia Anderson, Attorney for Terri's parents 2001-2004; Jay Carpenter M.D., President of Professionals for Excellence in Health Care; Dr. Thomas Droleskey, Founder and President of Christ The King College; Patricia Farley Director of Suncoast Coalition for Life; Christopher Ferrara President of the Catholic Lawyers Association.; Jan Halisky Attorney and President of Pinellas County Right to Life; Joseph Magri, Attorney; Monsignor Thaddeus Malanowski, Priest, and advisor for Terri & the Schindler family; Steven Mosher President of the Population Research Institute; Joseph Scheidler, Director of the Pro-Life Action League; Jim Sedlak, Vice President of American Life League; Rev. Raymond Vega Priest, advisor for Terri supporters; Debi Vinnage President of Children of God for Life; Patricia Wermuth of Fertility Care Services of Tampa; Stephen White M.D., President of the Catholic Medical Association.