Take Action to Free Brittney Griner and All Detained Americans from Russia!
WNBA player Brittney Griner has been held in Moscow on drug charges since last month. Griner, a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, was arrested for alleged possession of hashish oil. She is a member of the Phoenix Mercury, but has played for the Russian team, RUMC Ekaterinburg since 2015.
Russian authorities found vape cartridges in Griner’s luggage. She faces up to 10 years in prison. Griner was tagged a pawn in Putin’s deadly grab for more power. Russia’s Ukrainian invasion wasn’t a spur of the moment decision.
There’s no question high-profile United States’ citizens have become targets. Former Marines Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed are also being held in Russia. Whelan was arrested in 2018 on espionage charges and pleaded not guilty. He was convicted and sentenced to 16 years.
Reed was arrested for drunkenness at a party, while visiting his girlfriend. Russian agents came to the police station to interrogate him about his time as a Marine. Reed would subsequently be charged with and convicted for assaulting a police officer. In 2020, he was sentenced to nine years.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken claims the U.S. State Department is doing everything to get detained Americans out of Russia. While some media outlets have covered the arrest of Griner, most have chosen to focus on why she was arrested and what she was doing in Russia. There must be greater outcry and call for US government intervention to free Griner and all detained citizens. We also demand equitable attention and energy for Griner’s immediate release.
Here are three ways you can take action.
Sign the petition to secure Brittney Griner's swift and safe release.
Call Illinois Senator Dick Durbin at (312) 353-4592.
Call Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth at (312) 886-3506.
Learn more about CRS' LGBTQIA+ Faith, Race & Equity platform.
Rev. Jason Carson Wilson, M. Div
Bayard Rustin Fellow
Community Renewal Society
And the Policy and Organizing Team