Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office has dropped charges against Brianna Rivers, a 30-year-old woman from the Bronx, who was accused of sucker-punching pro-life activist Savannah Craven Antao during a street interview in New York City in April. The case was dismissed in July due to prosecutors missing a key filing deadline, according to the victim’s attorneys and the Chicago-based Thomas More Society, which is planning to file a civil lawsuit on behalf of Antao.
Antao, a journalist with the pro-life organization Live Action, was interviewed by Rivers during a street interview, which was later captured on video and went viral. The incident occurred in New York City, where the interview was being conducted. Rivers was initially charged with second-degree assault, but the case was dismissed when prosecutors failed to turn over evidence on time. The Thomas More Society, a public interest law firm, has been advocating for the victim, stating that the failure to uphold justice undermines public confidence in the legal system.
According to reports, Antao sustained injuries from the attack, including cuts and bleeding, which required medical treatment and resulted in $3,000 in medical bills. After the altercation, Rivers walked away from the scene with both middle fingers extended, a gesture that was noted by the Thomas More Society. In a statement, Christopher Ferrara, senior counsel at Thomas More Society, criticized the DA’s office for its handling of the case, calling it a shocking refusal to uphold justice and setting a dangerous precedent for how society responds to violence against those engaged in democratic dialogue.
Rivers, in a Facebook post, claimed that Antao incited the attack by antagonizing her. She apologized but stated that she could not sit around and allow Antao to continue pushing a one-sided narrative. Rivers accused Antao of being a professional antagonist rather than a journalist, suggesting that the full footage would reveal the truth. Meanwhile, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has taken internal steps to address the botched case, as stated by the New York Post. The DA’s office apologized for the error in missing the discovery deadline and expressed a commitment to ensuring every victim has their day in court. However, they did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment at the time of reporting. The case has drawn significant attention and criticism, highlighting the tension between individuals and the legal system in handling cases that have broader societal implications.