Manhattan DA’s Office Misses Deadline, Assault Case Against Pro-Life Activist’s Attacker Dropped
In a frustrating turn of events for a pro-life journalist, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office has dismissed assault charges against a woman who allegedly attacked her during a street interview. The case was dropped not due to lack of evidence, but because prosecutors missed a critical filing deadline for turning over evidence. This incident has raised serious concerns about the handling of justice in politically charged cases and the protection of those engaged in public discourse, regardless of their views.
The incident occurred in April when Savannah Craven Antao, a journalist for the pro-life organization Live Action, was conducting street interviews in New York City. During one such interview, 30-year-old Bronx resident Brianna Rivers allegedly became agitated and suddenly punched Antao in the face twice before walking away with both middle fingers extended. The assault was captured on video by Antao’s husband, showing the journalist reeling from the blows with visible injuries. The attack required Antao to seek emergency medical treatment, resulting in stitches and approximately $3,000 in medical bills according to the Thomas More Society, a public interest law firm now representing her.
Rivers was initially charged with second-degree assault following the incident, but these charges were dismissed in July when prosecutors failed to meet discovery deadlines. This procedural error has prompted the Thomas More Society to announce plans for a civil lawsuit against Rivers. The organization’s senior counsel, Christopher Ferrara, expressed strong criticism of the District Attorney’s handling of the case, stating that “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.” He further emphasized that failing to prosecute such clear-cut charges “sets a dangerous standard for how our society responds to violence against those engaging in democratic dialogue.”
For her part, Rivers has offered a different perspective on the incident through social media. In a Facebook post following the attack, she apologized to Antao but accused the journalist of antagonizing her and presenting a one-sided narrative of their interaction. “I understand hands being put on someone is never the answer, but throwing rocks and hiding hands is worse,” Rivers wrote, describing Antao as a “professional antagonist, not a ‘reporter'” and calling for the release of the complete footage of their interaction. This characterization stands in stark contrast to the video evidence of the physical assault and Antao’s subsequent injuries, highlighting the contentious nature of the encounter and the broader tensions surrounding abortion discussions in public spaces.
When questioned about the dismissal, a spokesperson for Bragg’s office acknowledged the error, telling the New York Post that they are “taking immediate internal steps in light” of the mishandled case. The spokesperson added, “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.” This admission raises questions about the efficiency and effectiveness of the Manhattan District Attorney’s office in handling cases, particularly those that involve politically charged topics or figures on either side of contentious debates like abortion rights.
The dismissal of charges against Rivers is particularly troubling in the current political climate, where violence against political activists and journalists has become increasingly normalized. Regardless of one’s position on abortion or other divisive issues, physical assault represents a dangerous escalation that threatens the foundations of democratic discourse. As the Thomas More Society prepares its civil case against Rivers, the incident serves as a stark reminder of both the heightened tensions surrounding abortion debates in America and the critical importance of maintaining a justice system that protects all citizens equally, regardless of their political views. For Antao, who continues to deal with the physical and emotional aftermath of the attack, the dismissal of criminal charges represents not just a personal setback but also raises broader concerns about the protection of those who exercise their right to free speech in the public square.
