Welcome to the TMS Weekly Dispatch for November 24, 2025—with the latest news and updates from the front line, to keep you in-the-know on all things Thomas More Society. If you missed last week’s edition, you can read it here.   

Here's the latest from the past week: 

THOMAS MORE SOCIETY FILES CIVIL LAWSUIT AFTER MANHATTAN DA FAILS TO PROSECUTE VIOLENT ATTACK ON PRO-LIFER: Last week, Thomas More Society attorneys filed a civil lawsuit against Brianna Rivers on behalf of Savannah Craven Antao, a pro-life journalist violently assaulted by Rivers while she peacefully discussed her pro-life beliefs during a ‘man on the street’ interview.

The complaint details multiple acts of alleged assault, battery, menacing, and harassment, including hate-motivated conduct based on Savannah’s pro-life and Christian beliefs. It also alleges that the criminal case against Rivers was terminated due to prosecutorial neglect, clearing the way for her civil suit.  

“The DA’s office had every opportunity to pursue justice and due to their incompetency or lack of will, failed to prosecute this vicious assault. Their refusal left us with no choice but to file civil action to hold Rivers accountable,” noted Chris Ferrara, TMS Senior Counsel. “Our system cannot function when violent offenders are rewarded with impunity simply because the victim is a Christian or a pro-life advocate. We intend to prove every allegation in court and obtain full justice for Savannah.”

Read the full Complaint.  

TMS FILES REPLY BRIEF IN JAMES V. HEARTBEAT : Thomas More Society has filed a powerful reply brief in our case defending Heartbeat International against New York Attorney General Letitia James's lawsuit targeting pro-life pregnancy centers’ First Amendment right to share about abortion pill reversal (APR).  

The reply brief details that the AG has completely failed to meet New York's demanding "substantial basis" standard required under the state's Anti-SLAPP law, which protects citizens from meritless lawsuits designed to chill free speech on matters of public concern. TMS argues that the AG's case amounts to government censorship of a legitimate medical debate, noting that APR is supported by peer-reviewed case studies, endorsed by major medical organizations with thousands of members, and has prompted 15 states to enact informed consent laws recognizing it as a valid option.  

The brief emphasizes a fundamental principle: where scientific disagreement exists, the government cannot pick sides and weaponize consumer protection laws to silence one viewpoint. As a federal court already ruled in a similar case against AG James, the promotion of APR by pregnancy help organizations constitutes fully protected noncommercial speech under the First Amendment. Thus, the SLAPP suit must be dismissed to protect both free speech and a woman’s right to receive information about abortion alternatives like APR.  

Read the full Reply Brief here.  

HHS RELEASES PEER-REVIEWED SUPPLEMENT TO GENDER DYPHORIA REPORT: On November 19, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a peer-reviewed study, Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices, outlining the medical dangers posed to children from attempts to change their biological sex. This further underscores the importance of legal fights like Mirabelli v. Olson, which challenge “Parental Exclusion Policies” intended to conceal children’s gender dysphoria from their parents—with devastating consequences.  

“Our report is an urgent wake up call to doctors and parents about the clear dangers of trying to turn girls into boys and vice-versa,” said Assistant Secretary for Health Brian Christine, MD.

Read the latest update in Mirabelli v. Olson.