New York City—A pro-life advocate plans to take legal action after a violent incident went unprosecuted by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. Savannah Craven Antao was assaulted in April 2025 while conducting an on-the-street interview for the advocacy group Live Action. The attack, which resulted in injuries that required medical attention, has sparked outrage and raised questions about the enforcement of justice in politically charged contexts.
The altercation with Brianna Rivers reportedly began when Rivers became agitated by Antao’s pro-life stance and struck her multiple times in the face. Footage of the incident captured the unprovoked nature of the attack, and it quickly went viral on social media platforms. Following the incident, Rivers was arrested and initially charged with second-degree assault. However, in a surprising turn, the charges were later downgraded to a misdemeanor and ultimately dismissed without explanation from the District Attorney’s office.
Christopher Ferrara, Senior Counsel at the Thomas More Society, which is representing Antao, criticized the DA’s inaction as a severe misstep that undermines public trust. “This refusal to pursue justice sends a dangerous message about how our society regards violence against peaceful dialogue participants,” he stated. Ferrara added that the neglect shown toward such clear-cut cases highlights a troubling inconsistency in the legal system.
Antao, reflecting on the incident, expressed her frustration about the dismissive handling of her case. “With so many witnesses, including millions online, it is incomprehensible that the assault could just vanish,” she said. “Political violence cannot be overlooked. When those in positions of authority fail to act, it further emboldens aggression against individuals expressing their views.”
The legal team at the Thomas More Society plans to file a civil suit seeking damages for the injuries Antao sustained and to hold Rivers accountable. They argue that this case exemplifies a growing trend of selective prosecution, where individuals engaging in pro-life advocacy find themselves more vulnerable to violence without recourse to justice.
Cases involving pro-life activists have recently highlighted disparities in law enforcement response. Not far from Manhattan, a recent incident in Baltimore saw an individual receive minimal consequences for assaulting two elderly pro-life advocates, igniting further concerns about equal application of the law.
At the same time, many pro-life advocates, such as Mark Houck and Paul Vaughn, have encountered severe legal repercussions for their demonstrations. The stark contrast in how these groups are treated raises critical questions about the consistency of legal protections for those expressing differing viewpoints.
As the Thomas More Society prepares for the ensuing civil suit, the spotlight remains on the legal system’s handling of politically motivated violence and the implications it holds for civil dialogue in society.