It’s been 100 days since Brittney Griner was detained at a Russian airport for possession of vape products with cannabis in them. She continues to be held by Russian authorities, but the WNBA wants her ‘wrongful detention’ to end right now.
In an attempt to get their ‘teammate, friend, and sister’ back on U.S. soil, the WNBA is calling on athletes, members of the media, and everyone else to help their cause.
They’re asking that athletes hold media blackouts and sign their petition in order to help their pleas “reach the White House.” They are also calling on members of the media to use their platforms to tell Griner’s story and bring attention to her unjust imprisonment.
Here’s a transcript of the WNBA’s statement:
“Brittney Griner is our teammate, our friend, and our sister. She is a record-breaker, a gold medalist, a wife, a daughter, a champion, a role model, an all-star and so much more.
“Right now, BG is an American citizen who has been wrongfully detained in Russia for 100 days. That’s 144,000 minutes.
“Anyone who has followed us knows the power of The 144. We know that speaking up together, as a collective, is game, life and world-changing.
“To our sister, brothers and colleagues in professional sports: sign the petition, hold your own media blackout, please. Help us reach the White House.
“To athletes, of any age, ability level, team, sport, or country: this is OUR global sports community, we need to stand up and stand together to call for her release. Speak up, speak out, and do not stop until BG is home.
“To the media: write BG’s story. Use your platform and your voices.
“To everyone listening: go to WeAreBG.org and sign the petition, call the White House and call everyone you know. If you know anyone in the Biden Administration, CALL THEM.”
There appears to be a growing sense among the league and Brittney’s family that the U.S. government is not doing enough to bring her home. It’s believed that Russian President Vladimir Putin could be looking to exchange Griner for notorious convicted arms trafficker Viktor Bout, a.k.a. “The Merchant of Death.” However, it’s said to be unlikely that the U.S. would ever make such a trade, as they’ve rejected similar offers for Bout in the past.
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If you’d like to sign the petition to help free Brittney Griner, you can do so here.
