New York, New York - Thomas More Society attorneys announced they will file a civil suit and seek damages on behalf of veteran pro-life advocate, Savannah Craven Antao, against her assailant, Brianna Rivers, after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office failed to prosecute the felony assault charge.  

In April 2025, Rivers assaulted Savannah with several blows to the face while the pro-life advocate was filming a “woman-on-the-street” interview for pro-life advocacy group, Live Action. Several minutes into their taped sidewalk conversation and incensed by Savannah’s pro-life message, Rivers, without provocation, delivered several blows that caused a laceration, sending Savannah to the emergency room for stitches, resulting in $3,000 in medical bills. After the attack, Rivers walked away from the scene of the crime with both middle fingers extended.  

The entire assault was recorded on video and went viral on social media leading to Rivers’ arrest by NYPD and her being charged with second-degree assault. After her arrest, Rivers launched a GoFundMe to fundraise for her own defense. In a shocking twist, with no explanation from DA Bragg’s office, Savannah learned that the charge against Rivers was downgraded to a misdemeanor and later, completely dismissed.

“District Attorney Bragg’s shocking refusal to uphold justice only works to undermine confidence in the system, especially when our political climate has become as fraught as it is now,” said Christopher Ferrara, Senior Counsel at Thomas More Society. “Failing to prosecute these clear-cut charges sets a dangerous standard for how our society responds to violence against those engaging in democratic dialogue.”

“Millions of people saw my attack, an unprovoked assault, captured on camera while I was peacefully sharing my pro-life views and engaging in respectful dialogue. Even with indisputable evidence, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office quietly let the charges fade away, as if protecting people from violence was negotiable,” said Savannah Craven Antao. “Political violence should never be tolerated or given a free pass. When those in power refuse to hold accountable those who respond to free speech with violence, it threatens the very fabric of our civil society. I will not be intimidated or silenced when it comes to speaking up for the unborn, and with the support of Thomas More Society, I will keep pushing for accountability.”

“This blatant example of selective prosecution shows a troubling disregard for equal protection, leaving peaceful pro-life advocacy exposed to intimidation and violence. Savannah’s assailant may have been spared criminal consequences by the Manhattan DA’s failure, but we will see to it that she faces accountability. We will seek justice for Savannah, including punitive damages, as a lesson to those who think they can respond to pro-life speech with violence,” Ferrara added.

Thomas More Society attorneys have repeatedly witnessed a disturbing double standard in the enforcement of justice when it comes to violence directed at pro-lifers. Most recently a young man in Baltimore walked away with a slap on the wrist after brutally assaulting two elderly pro-lifers praying outside a Planned Parenthood.  

Meanwhile, pro-life advocates like Mark Houck and Paul Vaughn, whose actions were rooted in peaceful defense of the unborn, faced the full weight of federal prosecution under the Biden administration, had their homes raided by armed agents in front of their families and faced severe prison sentences.  

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*Photo credit: Live Action