A New York woman has been arrested after physically assaulting a pro-life interviewer during a filmed street interview debating abortion rights. The viral video, posted by Live Action, a group known for its staunch anti-abortion stance, shows the moment Brianna J. Rivers launched a violent attack on interviewer Savannah Craven Antao.
The altercation, which has since exploded across social media, has reignited conversations around reproductive rights, freedom of speech and how personal belief systems can escalate into real-world violence.
Heated Exchange Turns Violent on Camera
On 3 April, 23-year-old Antao set up a street interview asking passers-by about their stance on abortion. Rivers, 30, initially engaged in friendly conversation. However, the exchange turned tense when Planned Parenthood was mentioned.
‘You don’t get to kill the baby just because their dad didn’t want them,’ Antao argued. Rivers replied that unwanted children often end up in foster care, where they are abused or treated like ‘personal slaves’.
Matters escalated when Antao suggested that Rivers’ argument meant she supported killing children in foster care and victims of sexual assault. ‘So we should just kill them?!’ she asked mockingly. The confrontation devolved as both women began speaking over one another.
‘What I said is that, in general, if I don’t want to have a baby, I should have the choice,’ Rivers stated. Antao repeatedly accused her of supporting the killing of foster children, while Rivers countered that Antao did not ‘understand the magnitude of having a child’.
The confrontation ended in physical violence when Rivers punched Antao in the face and struck her with her phone. As she left the scene, she shouted: ‘Suck my d**k.’
According to reports, Rivers was arrested shortly after and charged with second-degree assault.
‘God Is Good’: Antao Responds to Arrest
Following the attack, Antao shared graphic images of her bloodied face online, confirming that her injuries had required stitches. On Friday, she posted again on social media to announce Rivers’ arrest, writing: ‘Just got word from detectives Brianna J. Rivers was arrested! God is good! Thank you detectives at the 28th precinct NYC! #BlueLivesMatter #JusticeIsServed #ThankYouGod.’
Speaking on Fox News, Antao reflected on the incident and the broader implications of abortion advocacy.
‘The truth is, abortion is violence, and it creates violence,’ she said. ‘This is what abortion does to people. It hurts women, it hurts families and it hurts babies.’
She believed that the violent reaction stemmed from Rivers hearing her own words echoed back at her. ‘Maybe she realised it didn’t sound too great,’ Antao said.
Rivers Responds: ‘I Was Provoked’
