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Manhattan DA refuses to prosecute woman who assaulted pro-life journalist
The Thomas More Society, a pro-life legal group, has announced that the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg declined to file charges against a woman who attacked a pro-life journalist earlier this year during a man-on-the-street interview, leaving the journalist bloodied and requiring medical care.
As a result, the Thomas More Society plans to pursue a civil suit and seek damages against the assailant.
In April, pro-life journalist Savannah Craven Antao took to the streets of New York, where she was filming a man-on-the-street interview about Planned Parenthood.
As she spoke with various passerby, a woman approached her and they started a conversation about abortion. After they had spoken, the woman, without warning, punched Craven Antao, knocking her to the ground.
Their interaction can be seen in this video (full footage here).
Following the incident, Craven Antao was taken to the hospital for her injuries. Photos and video of her after the assault show a laceration on her eyebrow and blood dripping down her face and chest. According to Thomas More Society, Craven Antao's injuries resulted in $3,000 in medical bills.
Several days later, her assailant was identified as Brianna J. Rivers. Craven Antao announced on April 10 that Rivers had been arrested. She was charged with second degree assault.
Thomas More Society, which is representing Craven Antao, reports that the office of District Attorney Alvin Bragg first reduced Rivers' charges to a misdemeanor and then dropped the charges altogether with no explanation.
“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,” said Christopher Ferrara, Senior Counsel at Thomas More Society. “Failing to prosecute these clear-cut charges sets a dangerous standard for how our society responds to violence against those engaging in democratic dialogue.”
Craven Antao also commented on the latest development, saying:
Millions of people saw my attack, an unprovoked assault, captured on camera while I was peacefully sharing my pro-life views and engaging in respectful dialogue. Even with indisputable evidence, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office quietly let the charges fade away, as if protecting people from violence was negotiable.
Political violence should never be tolerated or given a free pass. When those in power refuse to hold accountable those who respond to free speech with violence, it threatens the very fabric of our civil society. I will not be intimidated or silenced when it comes to speaking up for the unborn, and with the support of Thomas More Society, I will keep pushing for accountability.
The Thomas More Society has said it intends to file a civil suit against Rivers and seek damages.
Live Action News is pro-life news and commentary from a pro-life perspective.
Our work is possible because of our donors. Please consider giving to further our work of changing hearts and minds on issues of life and human dignity.
Contact editor@liveaction.org for questions, corrections, or if you are seeking permission to reprint any Live Action News content.
Guest Articles: To submit a guest article to Live Action News, email editor@liveaction.org with an attached Word document of 800-1000 words. Please also attach any photos relevant to your submission if applicable. If your submission is accepted for publication, you will be notified within three weeks. Guest articles are not compensated (see our Open License Agreement). Thank you for your interest in Live Action News!
Manhattan DA refuses to prosecute woman who assaulted pro-life journalist
The Thomas More Society, a pro-life legal group, has announced that the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg declined to file charges against a woman who attacked a pro-life journalist earlier this year during a man-on-the-street interview, leaving the journalist bloodied and requiring medical care.
As a result, the Thomas More Society plans to pursue a civil suit and seek damages against the assailant.
In April, pro-life journalist Savannah Craven Antao took to the streets of New York, where she was filming a man-on-the-street interview about Planned Parenthood.
As she spoke with various passerby, a woman approached her and they started a conversation about abortion. After they had spoken, the woman, without warning, punched Craven Antao, knocking her to the ground.
Their interaction can be seen in this video (full footage here).
Following the incident, Craven Antao was taken to the hospital for her injuries. Photos and video of her after the assault show a laceration on her eyebrow and blood dripping down her face and chest. According to Thomas More Society, Craven Antao's injuries resulted in $3,000 in medical bills.
Several days later, her assailant was identified as Brianna J. Rivers. Craven Antao announced on April 10 that Rivers had been arrested. She was charged with second degree assault.
Thomas More Society, which is representing Craven Antao, reports that the office of District Attorney Alvin Bragg first reduced Rivers' charges to a misdemeanor and then dropped the charges altogether with no explanation.
“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,” said Christopher Ferrara, Senior Counsel at Thomas More Society. “Failing to prosecute these clear-cut charges sets a dangerous standard for how our society responds to violence against those engaging in democratic dialogue.”
Craven Antao also commented on the latest development, saying:
Millions of people saw my attack, an unprovoked assault, captured on camera while I was peacefully sharing my pro-life views and engaging in respectful dialogue. Even with indisputable evidence, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office quietly let the charges fade away, as if protecting people from violence was negotiable.
Political violence should never be tolerated or given a free pass. When those in power refuse to hold accountable those who respond to free speech with violence, it threatens the very fabric of our civil society. I will not be intimidated or silenced when it comes to speaking up for the unborn, and with the support of Thomas More Society, I will keep pushing for accountability.
The Thomas More Society has said it intends to file a civil suit against Rivers and seek damages.
Live Action News is pro-life news and commentary from a pro-life perspective.
Our work is possible because of our donors. Please consider giving to further our work of changing hearts and minds on issues of life and human dignity.
Contact editor@liveaction.org for questions, corrections, or if you are seeking permission to reprint any Live Action News content.
Guest Articles: To submit a guest article to Live Action News, email editor@liveaction.org with an attached Word document of 800-1000 words. Please also attach any photos relevant to your submission if applicable. If your submission is accepted for publication, you will be notified within three weeks. Guest articles are not compensated (see our Open License Agreement). Thank you for your interest in Live Action News!
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