If anyone could use a little bit of good news, it’s Brittney Griner.
With the 2022 midterm elections mostly over–Congressional control still hinges on a few uncalled races and a Georgia runoff–President Joe Biden has recommitted to getting the WNBA star out of Russian prison and back home where she belongs.
Speaking at a news conference Wednesday at the White House, Biden said he is “determined” to put an end to her long ordeal. Griner has now endured a heartbreaking nine months of imprisonment, and still just a fraction of her nine year sentence.
Related: Megan Rapinoe gives powerful speech calling for Brittney Griner’s return home
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“My hope is that now that the election is over, that Mr. Putin will be able to discuss with us and be willing to talk more seriously about a prisoner exchange,” Biden said.
Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden’s press secretary, followed up on Twitter, writing, “Every minute that Brittney Griner must endure wrongful detention in Russia is a minute too long.”
Every minute that Brittney Griner must endure wrongful detention in Russia is a minute too long.
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) November 9, 2022
“The U.S. Government is unwavering in its commitment to its work on behalf of Brittney and other Americans detained in Russia – including fellow wrongful detainee Paul Whelan,” Jean-Pierre added in a subsequent tweet.
We can’t emphasize enough how much we hope there’s immediate action to go along with these words.
A renewed effort to release the out, star athlete is long overdue. Griner is in the process of being transferred to a Russian penal colony after her appeal was denied on October 25.
Even Griner’s lawyers don’t know where she currently is, or where exactly she’s headed. “Notification is given via official mail and normally takes up to two weeks to be received,” they said.
What is known, however, is that Russian penal colony conditions are much harsher than the Moscow jail she’s been in since her February detention.
Related: Donald Trump throws Brittney Griner under the bus
“Our primary concern continues to be BG’s health and well-being. As we work through this very difficult phase of not knowing exactly where BG is or how she is doing, we ask for the public’s support in continuing to write letters and express their love and care for her,” Griner’s agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, said in a statement.
You can send a note to Brittney through weareBG.org.
Brittney’s wife, Cherelle Griner, also asked supporters to write letters during a speech last week at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards.
“I know today deep down in my soul that BG is a strong human being, but she’s 100% not okay,” she said.
“I’ve spent the last eight months riding waves of grief and to be honest, just total disbelief,” shared Cherelle Griner, wife of Brittney Griner, at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards. Read more here: https://t.co/dauGbMEyPz #GlamourWOTY pic.twitter.com/fH51Yu7P7C
— Glamour (@glamourmag) November 2, 2022
“I’ve spent the last eight months riding waves of grief and to be honest, just total disbelief,” she also shared. “I can’t believe that I’m standing in front of you guys today, living without my favorite person, my greatest love, biggest support, and just sanctuary.”
Griner was arrested upon arrival at a Moscow-area airport on February 17 after forgetting to take CBD vape cartridges out of her luggage. She pleaded guilty to the absurd drug smuggling charges in July.
The Richardson Center, a private organization run by former New Mexico Governor and Clinton Administration diplomat Bill Richardson, is also working outside of official government channels to help end Griner’s nightmare.
“We are thankful for everyone’s support, and hope that as we near nine months of detention, that BG and all wrongfully detained Americans will be shown mercy and returned home to their families for the holidays,” Griner’s agent said.
Fans have continued to show support on social media:
Midterms are over – can we please get Brittney Griner home?
— Jason Selvig (@jasonselvig) November 9, 2022
Free Brittney Griner.. smh 9 years for a vape pen is outrageous
— DDG (@PontiacMadeDDG) November 9, 2022
It has been 266 days since our friend, Brittney Griner, has been wrongfully detained in Russia. It is time for her to come home. @WhiteHouse @potus @vp , we are paying attention and we are counting on you. #WeAreBG
— Breanna Stewart (@breannastewart) November 10, 2022
Thinking endlessly about Brittney Griner. Two weeks of unknown whereabouts en route to a Russian penal colony possible in Siberia. I just can’t. She was just minding her business. ?
— Lisa Lucas (@likaluca) November 9, 2022
Russia’s cruel & unjust transfer of Brittney Griner to an unknown penal colony shows there are no limits to Putin’s use of people as political pawns. I’m glad that @POTUS is working to free Brittney and is determined to bring her and every other American political prisoner home.
— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) November 10, 2022
Can we trade Boebert & Greene for Brittney Griner?
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) November 9, 2022
thinking a lot about brittney griner today (and every day) and man, my heart is so heavy. we love you, BG.
— mollie cahillane (@MollieCahillane) November 10, 2022
MISTERJETT
i hope she gets home safely and soon, but please let this be a lesson to those who travel. wait until you get home to obtain your drugs. other countries aren’t as tolerant about this kind of thing – especially toward Americans. i hope you’re not that much of a dope head that you can’t wait.
Jon in Canada
This is something I’ve noticed, specifically among US travelers; their ignorance and/or belief that other nations laws don’t apply to them. My husband and I travel regularly and it would never cross our mind to go somewhere without first educating ourselves about laws/customs that may apply to us. For instance, as a gay couple, we’re not going to go to Russia, North Korea or pretty much most of the middle east yet so many US LGBTQ travelers do just that. Most global travelers would never just up and go without checking. As you say, let this be a lesson and a wake up call: you being American means nothing outside the US.
Kangol2
She has been sent to a penal colony in Russia, a country controlled by Vladimir Putin. Biden will have to move with extra dexterity when dealing with Putin, especially given how badly Russia is faring in its war against Ukraine and its rage at the US’s strong support for Ukraine’s continued sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom.
hockeyman2221
Nine years in a Russian penal colony is absurd. This will hopefully teach Brittney to follow the rules of whatever country she travels to. While she needs to come home A.S.A.P., the media forgets that there are two other Americans held in Russia, Everyday Brittney is in the news. What about Paul Whalen and Marc Fogel? Rarely is anything mentioned about them. It’s unfair that nothing is mentioned of them. I hope and pray that all three of them will make it home safely!
Kangol2
I personally hope all three are brought home safely and swiftly. The reason Griner is mentioned regularly is that she’s an international athletic superstar. She’s a gold medal Olympian, a star in the WNBA, and known all over the world for her success as an athlete. Whalen and Fogel are less high profile but all three deserve to be brought home ASAP.
sfhairy
She did the crime, she can do the time. Enjoy the penal colony.