Conservative pro-life influencer Savannah Craven Antao has spoken publicly about a “violent” street attack that left her with cuts across her face, calling it part of a growing wave of left-wing violence against conservatives.Perched in a brightly lit room with an unlit neon sign displaying her new married name, Craven Antao recounted the April incident to Fox News Digital. “A lot of the time I’m met with violence and that led to me being brutally assaulted on the street back in April,” she said. “A difference of opinion is something that they’re willing to not only call you names over, assault you over, but then now we see, kill you over”, she added.
Craven Antao, who credits much of her activism to the late conservative figure Charlie Kirk, said her faith keeps her resolute. She cited 2 Timothy 3:12, saying, “In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” adding that the violence from the left is “nothing surprising.”She described the attack as a stark warning of escalating risks for conservatives and said, “If somebody is willing to punch me in the face by just asking a question, why would the limit stop there? Why not kill somebody? Why not just completely try to silence them?”Craven Antao said she will continue her street interviews and public advocacy, aiming to honour Kirk’s legacy after his fatal shooting on September 10 at Utah Valley University. “Charlie was shot in the neck for a reason. They want to silence his voice. They wanted to silence him because he was making a difference,” she said, highlighting his influence on young people.The attack that left Craven Antao cut and bloodied stemmed from a street interview in Brooklyn, captured in a now-viral video. The woman accused of the assault, Brianna Rivers, 30, of the Bronx, punched Craven Antao while she interviewed her about abortion for the advocacy group Live Action. The footage shows Craven Antao reeling from the blows as Rivers walks away, flipping both middle fingers and taunting her husband.The case against Rivers was dismissed recently after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office missed a key filing deadline, according to Craven Antao’s attorneys at the Thomas More Society, reported Fox News. The oversight left Craven Antao blindsided, only learning the case had been dismissed after Rivers posted about it on social media. The activist incurred over $3,000 in medical expenses for emergency treatment, including stitches and care for cuts and bruising.Craven Antao criticised the handling of the case, saying, “Justice was denied. Shame on Alvin Bragg’s DA office. I want her to understand that this is not something that she can continue to do the next time she runs into somebody she disagrees with.” She added that the broader political climate encourages violence against those expressing conservative views.The Thomas More Society plans to file a civil lawsuit against Rivers on Craven Antao’s behalf, aiming to hold her accountable despite the criminal case dismissal. Senior counsel Christopher Ferrara called the case “a very dramatic illustration of the mentality that we’re dealing with,” adding that it reflects a growing climate in which political disagreement is met with physical aggression.Craven Antao remains committed to her advocacy, saying, “We are living in a time where many people believe they can harm people they disagree with. Including killing them. I will continue to speak out because everyone deserves to be free, safe from political violence.”
