Conservative influencer files lawsuit after viral street attack
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A conservative, pro-life influencer who went viral after being punched in the face during a street interview in New York has filed a lawsuit against her alleged attacker.
Pro-life activist and host of the YouTube channel “Her Patriot Voice” Savannah Craven Antao said she was shot multiple times by Brianna J. Rivers, 30, of the Bronx, on April 3 while she was conducting interviews with men on the street for the organization Live Action.
Craven Antao went to the emergency room to get stitches after the attack and ended up paying more than $3,000 in medical bills, according to the complaint filed Nov. 18 in Bronx Supreme Court. His attorneys at the Thomas More Society claim Rivers “knowingly, willfully and maliciously continues to taunt” [Savannah] and uses her online views to inflict further emotional distress.”
The lawsuit also alleges Rivers mocked Craven Antao’s religious beliefs and marketed products that referenced the attack. One alleged post read “BAM!” A t-shirt design that read: and an image of a fist striking a face — created by Rivers and his cousin to raise money for his legal defense, the complaint says.
PRO-LIFE INFUNENCER SPEAK AFTER NYC OUTBREAK RAID UNPUNISHED DUE TO PROSECUTOR ERRORS
Conservative pro-life figure Savannah Craven Antao says she was punched in the face by someone who disagreed with her during a street interview. (Live Action)
Craven Antao’s lawyers said the influencer was suffering from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and had received hundreds of death threats since the incident. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages for assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Rivers was initially charged with second-degree assault, but the case was dismissed in July after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office failed to submit discovery in a timely manner. The lawsuit criticizes Bragg’s office for downgrading the charge to a misdemeanor and then allowing the statute of limitations to expire.
Craven Antao also criticized Bragg’s handling of the case in an interview with Fox News Digital this week.
“I have to look over my shoulder and think about whether someone who supports his actions (there are a lot of people out there who do) is going to try to do something else,” he said. “Because what DA Alvin Bragg himself has shown people is that by letting this case drop, they can attack and hurt someone if they don’t agree with them and nothing happens.”
WOMAN CAUGHT ON CAMERA ALLEGEDLY TAKING AT MAGA ACTIVIST IN VIRAL FIGHT
Pro-life activist Savannah Craven Antao was allegedly sucker-punched during a street interview filmed in Harlem. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s office later dropped the assault case after missing the filing deadline. (Live Action/YouTube; Getty)
In September, Bragg’s office released a statement acknowledging a filing error and apologizing to Craven Antao.
“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,” a spokesperson said. “We are taking immediate internal steps in light of this case.”
Craven Antao said he decided to file a lawsuit to hold Rivers accountable and send a message.
“First of all, I would really appreciate my medical bills, which are over $3,000, being paid because I shouldn’t be responsible for them,” he said. “The second is to send a message, hopefully to show him that he can’t do this again.”
“Honestly, I hope he eventually finds God,” she continued. “That’s what I’m praying for, too, because it’s clear that he has very deep trauma and he’s taking it out on other people.”
Thomas More Society attorney Christopher Ferrara said Bragg’s handling of the case forced them to file a civil lawsuit against Rivers.
“Savannah was violently attacked for peacefully expressing her pro-life beliefs, and then humiliated again when her attacker took to the internet to glorify it,” he said in a statement. “The Treasurer’s office had every opportunity to pursue justice and, through their incompetence or lack of will, failed to prosecute this brutal attack. Their refusal left us with no choice but to file a civil lawsuit to hold Rivers accountable.”
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Craven Antao also linked his fears to broader security concerns from conservative figures, citing the recent murder of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
“If they could do that to someone like him, who had the security and the controls and the resources to control all the people around him, what would that mean for ordinary journalists who don’t have the ability to hire a full security team and be armed?” he said.
“All the threats online and the comments he ‘likes’ encouraging his behavior make me wonder if the wrong person will find me next time and something worse will happen,” she continued.
Rivers had previously apologized April 5 Facebook post, He said he was sorry but he couldn’t sit back and let you continue this one sided narrative.
“I understand that laying hands on someone will never be the answer, but throwing rocks and hiding hands is worse. Savannah is a professional adversary, not a ‘reporter,’ and the truth will be told,” he added.
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The Manhattan DA and Rivers did not respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
Michael Dorgan of Fox News contributed to this article.
