A conservative pro-life influencer who went viral after being punched within the face throughout a road interview in New York Metropolis has filed a lawsuit towards her alleged attacker.
Savannah Craven Antao, pro-life activist and host of the YouTube channel “Her Patriot Voice,” says she was conducting man-on-the-street interviews for the group Reside Motion on April 3 when she was repeatedly struck by Brianna J. Rivers, 30, of the Bronx.
In accordance with the grievance, filed Nov. 18 in Bronx Supreme Courtroom, Craven Antao went to the emergency room for stitches after the assault, incurring greater than $3,000 in medical payments. Her attorneys on the Thomas Extra Society allege that Rivers has “knowingly, willfully and maliciously continued to mock [Savannah] and her views on-line with a view to additional inflict emotional misery.”
The lawsuit additionally claims Rivers mocked Craven Antao’s spiritual beliefs and marketed merchandise referencing the assault. One alleged put up confirmed a T-shirt design with the phrase “BAM!” and a picture of a fist hanging a face — which the grievance says Rivers and her cousin created to boost cash for her authorized protection.
Craven Antao’s attorneys say the influencer has suffered signs of post-traumatic stress dysfunction and has acquired tons of of loss of life threats because the incident. The swimsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages for assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional misery.
Rivers was initially charged with second-degree assault, however the case was dismissed in July after Manhattan District Legal professional Alvin Bragg’s workplace failed to show over discovery on time. The lawsuit criticizes Bragg’s workplace for downgrading the cost to a misdemeanor and later permitting it to lapse.
Craven Antao additionally slammed Bragg’s dealing with of her case in an interview with Fox Information Digital this week.
“I’ve to look over my shoulder and fear about if anyone who helps her actions — there are lots of people on the market that do — that they’re going to attempt to do one thing else,” she mentioned. “As a result of what the DA Alvin Bragg himself has proven to individuals, with letting this case be dropped, is that they will go assault anyone and damage them in the event that they disagree with them and nothing goes to occur.”
In September, Bragg’s workplace issued a press release acknowledging a submitting error and apologizing to Craven Antao.
“Each sufferer deserves their day in court docket, and our workplace has reached out to apologize to Ms. Craven Antao for the unacceptable error of lacking the invention deadline,” a spokesperson mentioned. “We’re taking rapid inside steps in mild of this case.”
Craven Antao mentioned she determined to file the lawsuit to carry Rivers accountable and ship a message.
“First, I’d actually recognize my over $3,000 in medical payments to be paid off, as a result of I shouldn’t be accountable for these,” she mentioned. “Second, it’s to ship a message — hopefully to point out her that she will be able to’t do that once more.”
“Truthfully, I hope that she ultimately finds God,” she continued. “That’s what I pray for, as a result of it’s apparent that she’s received lots of deep trauma rooted, and he or she takes it out on different individuals.”
Thomas Extra Society lawyer Christopher Ferrara mentioned Bragg’s dealing with of the case compelled them to take civil motion towards Rivers.
“Savannah was violently assaulted for peacefully expressing her pro-life beliefs after which humiliated once more when the attacker went on-line to glorify it,” he mentioned in a press release. “The D.A.’s workplace had each alternative to pursue justice, and because of their incompetency or lack of will, did not prosecute this vicious assault. Their refusal left us with no selection however to file civil motion to carry Rivers accountable.”
Craven Antao additionally linked her fears to broader security considerations for conservative figures, citing the current killing of Turning Level USA founder Charlie Kirk.
“If they may do it to anyone like him, who has the sources to have the safety and the checks and all of the individuals surrounding him, what does this say for simply common journalists … who don’t have the means to rent a complete safety staff and be armed?” she mentioned.
“With all of the threats on-line and the feedback she ‘likes,’ encouraging her habits, it makes me marvel if the unsuitable individual goes to seek out me subsequent time and one thing worse will occur,” she continued.
Rivers beforehand apologized in an April 5 Fb put up, saying she was sorry “however can not sit round and assist you to proceed pushing this one-sided narrative.”
“I perceive fingers being placed on somebody is rarely the reply, however throwing rocks and hiding fingers is worse. Savannah is knowledgeable antagonist, not a ‘reporter,’ and the reality can be instructed,” she added.
The Manhattan DA’s workplace and Rivers didn’t reply to Fox Information Digital’s requests for remark.
