Carmelo Anthony Calls For The Release Of Jailed WNBA Player Brittney Griner: “It’s Time To Bring Her Home”
NBA star Carmelo Anthony is the latest star to speak out in support of Brittney Griner, the WNBA player who has been jailed in Russia for 108 days.
On day 105, the Los Angeles Lakers player posted a video along with the caption that read, “our friend, sister, teammate, Brittney Griner has been wrongfully detained in Russia.” He added, “It is time to bring her home! Let’s bring attention to this matter by sharing BG’s story and signing the petition: http://WeAreBG.org #WeareBG.”
LeBron James, 37, shared also shared a message on Twitter “demanding” President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris actively work on Griner’s safe return.
“As a decorated Olympian and member of an elite global sport community, BG’s detention must be resolved out of respect for the sanctity of all sport and for all Americans traveling internationally,” the Los Angeles Lakers star wrote on behalf of his company, Uninterrupted. “It is imperative that the U.S. Government immediately address this human rights issue and do whatever is necessary to return Brittney home. Join us in demanding that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris bring Brittney home swiftly and safely by taking action today,” he continued, sharing a Change.org petition to “Secure Brittney Griner’s Swift and Safe Return to the U.S.”
RELATED: WNBA Star Brittney Griner’s Russian Detention Extended A Month — Request For House Arrest Denied
As we previously reported, the WNBA champion and seven-time All-Star was taken into police custody back in February on drug charges. Russian officials claimed at the time that they found cannabis oil in her luggage, an offense that carries a 10-year prison sentence.
So far, her legal team has had access to her and been able to see her several times a week throughout her detention in Russia. The investigation is ongoing and a trial date has not been set.
Brittney Griner’s wife Cherelle Griner recently spoke out and told “GMA” co-anchor Robin Roberts during her appearance that the support her wife has gotten from the league has brought the WNBA star “comfort” amid her detention in Russia.
“Things like that matter, like, it has her hopeful,” Cherelle Griner told Roberts. “It lets her know she’s not forgotten. Those small moments, I know, give her some type of hope,” she added.
As calm as she may have seemed in the moment, Cherelle Griner said she hopes her voice reaches President Joe Biden:
“There is one person that can go get her, and that’s our president,” Griner told Angela Rye in an interview that is airing Wednesday on ESPN. “He has that power. You know, I’m just like, ‘Why are we not using it? Like, urgently, use it.’ We’re expecting him to use his power to get it done.”