Pro-abortion woman reportedly arrested after assault on pro-life journalist

UPDATE, 4/10/25: Today, Savannah Craven Antao posted an announcement to her Instagram account, stating, “Just got word from detectives that Brianna J. Rivers was arrested!” She added, “Thank you detectives at the 28th precinct NYC!”

UPDATE, 4/5/25: Today, a woman identifying herself as Brianna J. Rivers made a public Facebook post admitting to being the woman who attacked Savannah Craven Antao on Thursday, April 3, in New York. A graphic in the post written by Rivers attempts to put the blame on Craven Antao for the assault:

I need a platform to share my side of events. She has 7 million views making me out to be a “child killing” monster when she knows the truth. She railroaded me into all of this. She needs to release the unedited footage with her relentless antagonization on a subject that is very touchy. I will not allow my image to be defamed by this woman’s actions. Anyone who knows me knows how respectful I am, I don’t even litter, there’s no way you believe I’m punching people for disagreeing with my POV.

Rivers also states in the post:

To Savannah, I sincerely apologize 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. She knows the truth and she needs to release the footage in its entirety. Savannah is a professional antagonist not a “reporter” and the truth will be told.

4/3/25: A pro-abortion woman assaulted pro-life journalist Savannah Craven Antao while she filmed a Man on the Street interview for Live Action on Thursday.

Craven Antao was recording interviews regarding “What does Planned Parenthood do? Perception vs. Reality?” in Harlem, New York, when the attack occurred. According to Craven Antao and her husband, Henry Antao, a woman approached and started a conversation with Craven Antao, even complimenting her. But during the interview, she suddenly assaulted Craven Antao.

Video footage shows Craven Antao and the woman discussing abortion before the woman punches her.

Pro-Life Journalist PUNCHED for Exposing Planned Parenthood

The woman stated, “You don’t understand the magnitude of having a child.”

Craven Antao replied, “I’m not the one who admitted they would be okay with killing babies in foster care and killing children that had been abused.”

The woman then responded, “That’s my point…” As Craven Antao attempted to speak again, the woman punched her, knocking her to the ground. She appeared to attempt to assault her a second time, but Craven Antao’s husband positioned himself in between them. Craven Antano was brought to the hospital for her injuries.

Her husband told Live Action, “[We] were out on the street in Harlem doing some street interviews. My wife … was assaulted by a pro-abortion woman we were interviewing… The woman became aggressive and violent upon learning Savannah’s pro-life stance. I intervened to protect my wife and we immediately called 911. The police arrived, and we provided them with the assailant’s photo and description. We hope justice will be served soon.”

Full footage can be viewed here.

Live Action president and founder Lila Rose stated in a press release:

We are deeply grateful for the work Savannah has done to protect preborn children and help end abortion in our nation. Her bravery in the face of violence is heroic. We are grateful she is safe and receiving support. No one should ever face physical assault for expressing their views in public.

We will not be intimidated. Live Action will continue our goal to defund Planned Parenthood—which kills over 1,000 children every day while receiving more than $700 million in taxpayer funding. We remain committed to our mission to completely abolish abortion and ensure every child is protected under the law.

Video and photos taken after the assault show a laceration on Craven Antao’s eyebrow and blood dripping down her face and chest. Her attacker has not been identified, but police are said to be looking for her.

“We are pro-life activists because ending abortion and protecting babies from the violence that Planned Parenthood commits is the most important issue of our lifetime,” Henry Antao explained.

Violence on the part of pro-abortion advocates has been rising in recent years. After the Supreme Court draft decision signaling the overturning of Roe v. Wade was leaked in May of 2022, abortion supporters increased attacks against pro-life activists and pro-life organizations.

Editor’s Note: This article will be updated as more information becomes available.