A conservative pro-life activist who went viral earlier this year after being punched repeatedly during a street-interview segment in New York City has now filed a civil lawsuit against her alleged attacker.
Savannah Craven Antao — a pro-life advocate and host of the YouTube channel Her Patriot Voice — says she was gathering on-camera interviews on April 3 for the pro-life organization Live Action when she was physically assaulted by Brianna J. Rivers, 30, of the Bronx. The incident, captured on video, spread widely across social media and conservative news outlets, sparking outrage among free-speech and pro-life advocates.
Details of the Lawsuit
According to the complaint filed Nov. 18 in Bronx Supreme Court, Craven Antao required emergency medical treatment after the attack and received stitches, amassing more than $3,000 in medical expenses. Attorneys with the Thomas More Society allege Rivers has “knowingly, willfully and maliciously continued to mock [Savannah] and her views online in order to further inflict emotional distress.”
The suit further states that Rivers mocked Craven Antao’s Christian faith and even created merchandise celebrating the assault. One alleged online post displayed a T-shirt design reading “BAM!” with an image of a fist hitting a face — reportedly created by Rivers and a cousin to raise money for Rivers’ legal defense.
Craven Antao’s attorneys say their client has experienced symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder and has received hundreds of violent threats since the incident. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Criticism of Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg
Rivers was initially charged with second-degree assault — a felony — but the case fell apart in July after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office failed to turn over discovery materials by the legal deadline. The office then downgraded the charge to a misdemeanor before the entire case was dismissed.
Bragg, a frequent target of criticism from conservatives for his handling of violent crime and his perceived leniency toward offenders, later acknowledged his office’s failure.
“Every victim deserves their day in court, and our office has reached out to apologize to Ms. Craven Antao for the unacceptable error of missing the discovery deadline,” a spokesperson wrote in September. “We are taking immediate internal steps in light of this case.”
But for Craven Antao, the damage was already done.
“I have to look over my shoulder and worry about if somebody who supports her actions … is going to try to do something else,” she told Fox News Digital. “Because what the DA Alvin Bragg himself has shown to people, with letting this case be dropped, is that they can go assault somebody and hurt them if they disagree with them and nothing is going to happen.”
Fears for Conservative Journalists and Activists
Craven Antao said she ultimately filed the civil suit to hold Rivers accountable and to send a message about political violence: “First, I’d really appreciate my over $3,000 in medical bills to be paid off, because I should not be responsible for those. Second, it’s to send a message — hopefully to show her that she can’t do this again.”
She also connected her concerns to broader safety issues for conservative figures, referencing the recent killing of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
“If they could do it to somebody like him, who has the resources to have the security and the checks and all the people surrounding him, what does this say for just average journalists … who don’t have the means to hire a whole security team and be armed?” she said.
Craven Antao added that online threats and encouragement of Rivers’ behavior have left her uncertain about what could happen next. “With all the threats online and the comments she ‘likes,’ encouraging her behavior, it makes me wonder if the wrong person is going to find me next time and something worse will happen.”
Defense from Rivers
Rivers previously issued a public apology on Facebook on April 5, though she also accused Craven Antao of provoking the incident.
“I am sorry,” Rivers wrote, “but cannot sit around and allow you to continue pushing this one-sided narrative. I understand hands being put on someone is never the answer, but throwing rocks and hiding hands is worse. Savannah is a professional antagonist, not a ‘reporter,’ and the truth will be told.”
Legal Team Responds
Thomas More Society attorney Christopher Ferrara sharply criticized Bragg’s office, saying their inaction forced Craven Antao to pursue civil remedies.
“Savannah was violently assaulted for peacefully expressing her pro-life beliefs and then humiliated all over again when the attacker went online to glorify it,” Ferrara said. “The D.A.’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.”
For Craven Antao, the lawsuit is not just about compensation — it’s about setting a precedent.
“Honestly, I hope that she eventually finds God,” Craven Antao said. “That’s what I pray for, because it’s obvious that she’s got a lot of deep trauma rooted, and she takes it out on other people.”
