The woman who was caught on video sucker-punching a pro-life reporter during a street interview in Harlem has been arrested, the NYPD confirmed on Thursday.
According to the New York Post, Brianna J Rivers , 30, is now facing a charge of second-degree assault for her attack on Savannah Craven Antao , a 23-year-old reporter with the advocacy group Live Action.
The altercation took place last week during a “man-on-the-street” style interview on abortion and Planned Parenthood . The confrontation escalated after a heated exchange over foster care and abortion alternatives.
Video footage shows Rivers growing agitated before launching a flurry of punches at Craven Antao’s face, leaving her with blood streaming down her face and injuries that required stitches.
“You don’t understand the magnitude of having a child,” Rivers said moments before the attack. When Craven Antao challenged her stance, Rivers abruptly cut the discussion short with a violent outburst.
She then stormed off, yelling a vulgar remark at Craven Antao’s husband, who was filming the interview.
Craven Antao shared news of the arrest on Instagram, writing, “Just got word from detectives Brianna J Rivers was arrested! God is good!” She added hashtags including #BlueLivesMatter and #JusticeIsServed.
In response to growing criticism online, Rivers posted on Facebook claiming she was provoked. “To Savannah, I sincerely apologize, but cannot sit around and allow you to continue pushing this one sided narrative,” she wrote. “I understand hands being put on someone is never the answer, but throwing rocks and hiding hands is worse”, she added.
Despite her apology, the NYPD arrested Rivers on Thursday morning.
Court records indicate she was scheduled to be arraigned later that afternoon. Meanwhile, Rivers has launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for legal fees, which had collected $8,695 at the time of publication.
Craven Antao has spoken out since the attack, calling for justice but also urging prayers for Rivers. “We want justice, but we also want to pray for this woman because she is obviously going through something a lot deeper,” she had said in an interview.
According to the New York Post, Brianna J Rivers , 30, is now facing a charge of second-degree assault for her attack on Savannah Craven Antao , a 23-year-old reporter with the advocacy group Live Action.
The altercation took place last week during a “man-on-the-street” style interview on abortion and Planned Parenthood . The confrontation escalated after a heated exchange over foster care and abortion alternatives.
Video footage shows Rivers growing agitated before launching a flurry of punches at Craven Antao’s face, leaving her with blood streaming down her face and injuries that required stitches.
Pro-life journalist Savannah Craven Antao was assaulted by a pro-abortion thug as Savannah filmed a Man on the Street interview Thursday in NYC’s Harlem.
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) April 4, 2025
Savannah was criticizing the thug woman’s pro-abortion positions when the assault occurred.
Does anyone know the assailant? pic.twitter.com/k6Esbfbx47
“You don’t understand the magnitude of having a child,” Rivers said moments before the attack. When Craven Antao challenged her stance, Rivers abruptly cut the discussion short with a violent outburst.
She then stormed off, yelling a vulgar remark at Craven Antao’s husband, who was filming the interview.
Craven Antao shared news of the arrest on Instagram, writing, “Just got word from detectives Brianna J Rivers was arrested! God is good!” She added hashtags including #BlueLivesMatter and #JusticeIsServed.
In response to growing criticism online, Rivers posted on Facebook claiming she was provoked. “To Savannah, I sincerely apologize, but cannot sit around and allow you to continue pushing this one sided narrative,” she wrote. “I understand hands being put on someone is never the answer, but throwing rocks and hiding hands is worse”, she added.
Despite her apology, the NYPD arrested Rivers on Thursday morning.
Court records indicate she was scheduled to be arraigned later that afternoon. Meanwhile, Rivers has launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for legal fees, which had collected $8,695 at the time of publication.
Craven Antao has spoken out since the attack, calling for justice but also urging prayers for Rivers. “We want justice, but we also want to pray for this woman because she is obviously going through something a lot deeper,” she had said in an interview.
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