President Joe Biden receives a direct plea for assistance from Brittney Griner
President Joe Biden receives a direct plea for assistance from Brittney Griner. According to her attorneys, the imprisoned WNBA star Brittney Griner addressed a handwritten letter to US president Joe Biden pleading for her release. The letter was handed to the White House on Monday morning.
A passage provided to the Guardian by Griner’s agents stated, ‘I’m afraid I might stay here forever. I know you have a lot on your plate, but don’t forget about me and the other American detainees,’ the prisoner said. Please make every effort to get us home.
The Russian Federal Customs Service detained Griner in February after claiming to have found vape cartridges with hashish oil in her luggage at an airport close to Moscow. Griner is one of the most illustrious women’s basketball players in the United States. Griner’s trial started on Friday, and it has been widely reported that Moscow may use Griner to negotiate the release of a prominent Russian who is being held by the US.
The letter referred to the Fourth of July and mentioned her father’s service in the US Marine Corps, which included two tours of duty in Vietnam.
Another excerpt stated that ‘during the Fourth of July, our family customarily commemorates the service of those soldiers who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran. Because freedom means something entirely different to me this year, it pains me to think about how I typically enjoy this day’. According to a Griner spokesman, the entire letter to Biden is being kept confidential, and Cherelle, Griner’s wife, is not accessible for comment.
Despite their best efforts, US diplomats, according to Cherelle Griner, aren’t doing enough, said in a recent interview with CNN. The talk and the actions, once again, don’t match, she said in an interview, therefore she doesn’t believe the utmost amount of effort is being made. The two-time gold medallist in the Olympics said in another passage: ‘As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m frightened I might stay here forever.’ Additionally, Griner stated in her essay that she supported Biden in the most recent presidential contest.
Another excerpt stated, ‘I voted for you for the first time in 2020.” “You have my support. You can help me regain my freedom because I still have so much good to do with it. My spouse is missing. My family is what I miss the most. My colleagues are missing me! My heart breaks knowing how much misery they are currently experiencing.’ The White House repeated on Monday that ‘Brittney Griner is illegally being held by the Russian Federation and said ‘I am grateful for everything you can do at this time to get me home.’
President Biden has been quite explicit about the desire to see Brittney Griner and any other US citizens who are being held as hostages or illegally detained abroad released. According to National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson, ‘the US government is still working assiduously and with all available resources to bring her home. The President’s team is in constant contact with Brittney’s family, and we will keep trying to help them.’
The 31-year-old Griner has played for UMMC Ekaterinburg during the offseason since 2015, aiding the Russian club to three domestic titles and EuroLeague Women championships in 2016, 2019, and 2021. In 2014, he led the Phoenix Mercury to the franchise’s third-ever title and a shocking return to the WNBA finals. Prior to Phoenix’s game against the LA Sparks on Monday, Mercury head coach Vanessa Nygaard addressed Griner’s letter in a pre-game press conference.
As Nygaard put it, ‘I cried just listening to her words talking about her father being a Vietnam veteran, her new perspective on freedom, her want to be with her family and her teammates, and her uncertainty about if she will ever be free again. Hearing those remarks from such a revered lady on our day of independence is wonderful, and it’s wonderful that she was able to convey that message to us. Hopefully, some people are taking note of it.’