Christians Launch Rose Rally Campaign for Terri Nationwide

''The roses, no matter how beautiful they are, will wither away and their petals will fall off with no nutrition. This is what will happen to Terri if she is denied water and food'' -- Patrick Mahoney

By Pauline J. Chang, Christian Post Reporter Friday, March 11, 2005

Christian and pro-life groups launched a nationwide campaign this week to gather thousands in Tallahassee for a three-day spree of activities to save Terri Schiavo – a severely disabled who faces a court-ordered “death sentence” on March 18.

The events begin on March 13, with a “rose rally” and prayer vigil at the Capitol Plaza.

The planners of the Sunday event, which includes renowned Christian conservative organizations like Focus on the Family, the Christian Defense Coalition and Coral Ridge Ministries, expect more than 1,000 protestors to come out on behalf of 41-year-old Terri, who relies on her feeding tube to remain alive.

At the “Rose Rally for Terri,” supporters will leave 1,000 roses at the Capitol grounds for 72-hours to show what happens to the beauty of the flowers with “no food or water”.

“We chose this specific act because the roses – no matter how beautiful they are – will wither away and their petals will fall off with no nutrition,” explained Patrick Mahoney, president of the Christian Defense Coalition. “We felt this is a powerful yet simple symbolism of what will happen to Terri if she is denied water and food.”

After three days, the protestors will pick up the sunken roses and will deliver them to the offices of every legislator in the city. Each of the roses will bear a label that reads: “no food and water,” to better iterate what will happen to Terri unless legislators intervene on her behalf.

Within the last week, pending motions to save Terri’s life through the court have been shot down time and again by the same judge who set the March 18th date for the removal of Terri’s tube. Pinellas Court Judge George Greer not only denied Terri’s parents their request to have guardianship over their daughter, he rejected the Florida state Department of Children and Family (DCF)’s motion to investigate allegations of abuse by Terri’s legal guardian and husband Terri.

In light of such losses in court, Terri’s supporters are looking toward legislators to step in and take action.

“In terms of the court, George Greer as expected denied every motion,” said Mahoney. “But he’s not the final say.”

Mahoney explained that the location of the Rose Rally was strategically planned for Tallahassee, where Florida lawmakers are currently considering the passage of a bill that may save her life. The bill, which supporters have dubbed “Terri’s Law Two” – in reference to the 2003 law that ordered Terri’s tube be reconnected after it was removed for nearly a week - requires doctors to provide nutrition and hydration to incapacitated persons who did not leave an advance directive. On Wednesday the bill passed a House committee on a 7-4 party-line vote, but still needs approval from two more committees before facing the full House.

“The Florida legislature may pass Terri’s Law Two to stand with her once again as they did in October 2003,” said Mahoney. “We are cautiously optimistic that these legal challenges will carry some weight, which is why we will have round the clock prayer at the state capitol. We’re going to give each legislature a rose as well as a ten minute DVD to explain clearly what is really happening in Terri’s case.”

The round-the-clock prayer vigils begin at 6:00p.m., Sunday, in the Capitol plaza.

On Monday, the protestors will head over to the Governor’s Mansion for a Candlelight vigil. Supporters will then hold another prayer vigil at Upper Waller Park and will visit every legislator to lobby and encourage the passage of the new Terri’s Law. The lobbying will continue through Tuesday, and will end with a candlelight vigil at the governor’s mansion that evening.