The annual Rose Day Pro-Life Rally, which takes place inside the Oklahoma State Capitol each February, is less than a month away. The 2018 Rose Day, set for Feb. 7, will feature Alveda C. King, author, pro-life activist and niece of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.

Alveda King serves as a Pastoral Associate and Director of Civil Rights for the Unborn, the African-American Outreach for Priests for Life and Gospel of Life Ministries.

King will offer the keynote address in place of Kay Coles James, who was previously scheduled to speak at Rose Day. A sought-after speaker, King “serves as a Pastoral Associate and Director of Civil Rights for the Unborn, the African-American Outreach for Priests for Life and Gospel of Life Ministries. She is also a voice for the Silent No More Awareness Campaign, sharing her testimony of two abortions, God’s forgiveness, and healing.”

Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) Executive Director-Treasurer Anthony L. Jordan is asking pastors and Oklahoma Baptists to make participation in Rose Day a priority.

“Throughout my years of serving as a pastor and here at the BGCO, I truly cannot think of a more critical time in the struggle to protect the unborn,” Jordan said.

“Rose Day is an important opportunity for the pro-life community in Oklahoma to show our legislators and our governor that Oklahomans respect that fundamental right and stand for life! It is a powerful witness when people from our various faith traditions stand shoulder to shoulder to affirm the sanctity of life and the dignity of the human person,” said the Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City.

During the Rose Day event, attendees bring red roses as a symbol of their pro-life stance for the Governor, Lt. Governor, their State Senator and State House Member. Following rose distribution, a rally takes place indoors in the 4th floor House Chamber of the Capitol.

The rose distribution begins at 9:30 a.m. and the rally takes place at 11:30 a.m. In addition to the keynote address from King, music and other program elements are being planned by the Rose Day Committee.

For more information on Rose Day, visit www.bgco.org/roseday.