The sports community is taking action to push for WNBA star Brittney Griner’s safe return to the United States.
Griner has been held in Russia since February, when she was arrested for allegedly carrying vape cartridges containing hashish oil. She recently was classified by U.S. officials as being wrongfully detained.
A Change.org petition has been created to secure Griner’s return to the U.S., with the WNBA Players Association joining the appeal originally created by journalist and author Tamryn Spruill.
The NBA Players Association backed the cause as well, sharing the petition on its social media account.
Today is day 86. It’s time to bring BG home. Sign the petition to secure BG's safe & swift return home.https://t.co/hj8OYCOLMs#WeAreBG pic.twitter.com/hkMELhsh5g— NBPA (@TheNBPA) May 14, 2022
Today is day 86. It’s time to bring BG home. Sign the petition to secure BG's safe & swift return home.https://t.co/hj8OYCOLMs#WeAreBG pic.twitter.com/hkMELhsh5g
South Carolina and former Team USA coach Dawn Staley also has been vocal about Griner’s case. She tweeted at major American television networks on Friday.
“I’m issuing a network challenge (#networkchallenge) to create space on air and ticker each day until [Brittney Griner] is back,” wrote Staley, tagging ESPN, ABC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNN and CBS.
#BREAKINGNEWS I’m issuing a network challenge (#networkchallenge) to create space on air and ticker each day until @brittneygriner is back on US soil. @espn @ABC @NBCNews @MSNBC @CNN @CBS and all of your affiliates let’s do this! @WHPressSec can you please as well?! #FreeBG https://t.co/sLJoKOvSb0— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) May 13, 2022
#BREAKINGNEWS I’m issuing a network challenge (#networkchallenge) to create space on air and ticker each day until @brittneygriner is back on US soil. @espn @ABC @NBCNews @MSNBC @CNN @CBS and all of your affiliates let’s do this! @WHPressSec can you please as well?! #FreeBG https://t.co/sLJoKOvSb0
WNBA star Breanna Stewart has been tracking the days since Griner’s detainment on her own Twitter account, tagging the White House in her daily posts.
It has been 85 days since our friend, Brittney Griner, has been wrongfully detained in Russia. It is time for her to come home. @WhiteHouse, we are paying attention and we are counting on you. #WeAreBG ❤️ pic.twitter.com/jo3xmEjvwA— Breanna Stewart (@breannastewart) May 14, 2022
It has been 85 days since our friend, Brittney Griner, has been wrongfully detained in Russia. It is time for her to come home. @WhiteHouse, we are paying attention and we are counting on you. #WeAreBG ❤️ pic.twitter.com/jo3xmEjvwA
The USWNT Players Association showed their support for Griner, calling on President Biden to bring the basketball star home.
“We know that pay inequity has led to Brittney Griner’s wrongful detention in Russia. As a decorated Olympian & member of an elite global sport community, her detention must be resolved out of respect for the safety of all athletes traveling to compete internationally,” the Players Association posted.
We know that pay inequity has led to Brittney Griner’s wrongful detention in Russia. As a decorated Olympian & member of an elite global sport community, her detention must be resolved out of respect for the safety of all athletes traveling to compete internationally #WeAreBG— USWNT Players (@USWNTPlayers) May 15, 2022
We know that pay inequity has led to Brittney Griner’s wrongful detention in Russia. As a decorated Olympian & member of an elite global sport community, her detention must be resolved out of respect for the safety of all athletes traveling to compete internationally #WeAreBG
As of Monday morning, the Change.org petition has 134,243 signatures.
On Friday, Griner’s lawyer announced that the WNBA star’s pretrial detention had been extended by one month.
Griner’s case is currently under the purview of the U.S. State Department’s special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, who is responsible for negotiating the release of Americans deemed wrongfully detained.