Pro-life advocates are pressing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to refile felony charges against Brianna Rivers, the woman who violently assaulted pro-life journalist Savannah Craven Antao on a public sidewalk.
The is an urgency with a critical legal deadline looming on October 10.
The attack, captured on video, showed Rivers punching Craven Antao repeatedly while the journalist peacefully discussed abortion and shared her pro-life beliefs.
Bragg’s office initially downgraded the case from a felony to a misdemeanor assault charge, only for it to be dismissed after prosecutors missed a key discovery deadline, leaving the assault unpunished.
ACTION: Please contact Alvin Bragg’s office at 212-335-9000 and urge him to file charges against Brianna Rivers.
Attorneys with the Thomas More Society, representing Craven Antao, hand-delivered a letter to Bragg’s office on October 1 urging the refiling of felony assault and hate crime charges. Their research uncovered that felony statutes of limitations in New York’s First Judicial Department extend beyond those for misdemeanors, providing a window to revive the case — but that opportunity expires tomorrow under applicable case law.
“This is Bragg’s moment of truth. Actions speak louder than words. Reviving the felony charge and pursuing a hate crime charge would show real accountability and send a message that political violence has no home here. We believe there is reasonable legal basis for doing so,” said Christopher Ferrara, senior counsel at the Thomas More Society.
Rivers, branded by advocates as a violent abortion extremist, has shown no genuine remorse for the attack. After the charges were dropped, she celebrated online, posting a disingenuous apology while liking social media comments such as “you ain’t hit that girl hard enough” and “she deserved everything.”
The assault targeted Craven Antao specifically for her opposition to abortion, strengthening the case for hate crime enhancements, according to the legal team.
Bragg’s office issued a public apology to Craven Antao after the dismissal drew national headlines, but critics say words fall short without action.
“District Attorney Alvin Bragg has an opportunity to show his office is truly sorry for putting Savannah, and every woman witnessing her faith in New York, at risk. Or is Bragg just sorry because his bungled case is now making national headlines?” Ferrara said.
As the deadline approaches, the Thomas More Society plans to proceed with a civil lawsuit against Rivers, seeking damages to ensure accountability.
“As we await a response from Bragg’s office, we will continue to pursue our civil case against Rivers, to ensure that there are consequences for using violence to silence speech that one disagrees with,” Ferrara added.
Pro-life groups hailed the potential refiling as a vital step to protect free speech and deter attacks on those advocating for the unborn. Failure to act by tomorrow could seal the case’s fate, allowing Rivers to evade felony prosecution entirely.
