“Brittney Griner is our teammate, friend and sister. She is a record breaker, a gold medalist, a wife, a daughter, a champion, a role model and an all-star. And there are many others, “WNBA said in a statement on Saturday.
“Currently, BG is an American citizen who has been illegally detained in Russia for 100 days. That’s 144,000 minutes.”
Two Olympic gold medalists were arrested in February at Moscow Airport while playing at UMMC Yekaterinburg during the WNBA’s off-season.
Russian officials claimed to have found hemp oil in her luggage and accused her of smuggling large amounts of narcotic material. This is a crime that can be punished with up to 10 years in prison. Earlier this month, a Russian court extended the pretrial detention of a 31-year-old athlete to at least June.
The WNBPA statement calls for action not only from the media and fans, but also from professional and amateur athletes.
“To professional sports sisters, brothers and colleagues: sign the petition and control your own speech. Help us arrive at the White House.
“For athletes of all ages, ability levels, teams, sports and countries, this is our teammate. As members of our global sports community, we stand up and stand up together to call for her liberation. You need to speak up, raise your voice, and don’t stop until the BG comes home.
“To the Media: Write a BG Story. Use Your Platform and Your Voice.
“To everyone listening: Go to WeAreBG.org, sign the petition, call the White House, call everyone you know. If you know anyone in the Biden administration, Call them. “
The statement also calls on President Joe Biden to meet the athlete’s wife, Cherelle Griner, in person.
“Sherrel needs to meet President Biden. Her man, our sister has been torted for 100 days. You heard our petition. You heard the petition of BG’s wife Sherel. And more than ever we need you to stand with us, and take her home home. “
Cherelle Griner concludes his post with a link to a petition for basketball players to return to the United States quickly and safely.
Source: www.cnn.com
