This article originally appeared in the Thomas More Society 2025 Impact Report. To explore the full Impact Report, click here.

On a sunny April afternoon in 2025, Savannah Craven stepped onto the streets of Harlem to film street interviews. She had no idea that her peaceful advocacy would soon end in violence—and that her search for justice would prove just as punishing.

A pro-life advocate and social media influencer, Savannah was working with the advocacy organization Live Action to produce “man-on-the-street” videos, creating space for candid conversations about abortion and Planned Parenthood. Savannah doesn’t hide her faith-based pro-life views, but she is genuinely interested in engaging passersby in civil dialogue that will, she hopes, plant seeds for deeper reflection—regardless of where they currently stand.

Her interview with Brianna Rivers began civilly enough. But as Savannah gently pressed Rivers to consider Planned Parenthood’s business model and the morality of abortion, Rivers grew agitated. Without warning, she struck Savannah multiple times in the face.

The attack sent Savannah to the emergency room for stitches, leaving her with a facial laceration and $3,000 in medical bills. The entire assault was captured on video and quickly went viral—the footage garnered millions of views across TV and online, sparking national outrage and, disturbingly, celebration from some corners of the internet.

Rivers was arrested and charged with second-degree assault. Thomas More Society stepped in to represent Savannah—but Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office appeared uninterested in delivering justice. Prosecutors inexplicably downgraded the charge to a misdemeanor, then let it die entirely after missing a critical discovery deadline. TMS Senior Counsel Christopher Ferrara went public, and the story exploded: coverage from Fox News, the New York Post, National Review, CatholicVote, and outlets worldwide put Bragg’s failure under a national spotlight. Thomas More Society’s collaboration with Savannah on social media reached millions of people, and a subsequent digital campaign calling for accountability generated over 1.3 million impressions.

Fighting Back

‍Under mounting pressure, Bragg’s office issued an apology, admitting an “unacceptable error.” But TMS attorneys weren’t satisfied with words. They identified an alternate legal path—research revealed that felony charges carried a longer deadline, leaving Bragg’s office with time to revive the case and pursue felony or hate crime charges against Rivers. Bragg’s office refused without clear reasoning, doubling down on its failure to prosecute.

With the criminal avenue exhausted, Ferrara filed a civil lawsuit against Rivers on Savannah’s behalf, seeking damages—including punitive. The lawsuit is ongoing, and Thomas More Society continues to stand with Savannah in her pursuit of justice and accountability.

Political violence should never be given a free pass. Savannah’s case sends a clear message: there needs to be consequences for responding to free speech with violence.