Free Brittney 🏀⛹🏾‍♀️
- genderequalityands
- Mar 8, 2022
- 2 min read
The Gist put this in their email newsletter this week, and a friend said I should put it here. This is written by the Gist so read it and feel free to share it!
One big thing: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine hits the WNBA
SOURCE: CHRISTIAN PETERSEN/GETTY IMAGES
The GIST: Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner — who plays abroad with Russia’s UMMC Ekaterinburg during the WNBA offseason — has been detained in the country after customs officials reportedly found vape cartridges in her luggage. Terrifying.
The details: Although this story broke on Saturday, reports indicate that Griner was taken into custody in February for carrying vape cartridges containing hashish oil (aka marijuana) in her luggage — a crime in Russia that could mean up to 10 years in prison.
The context: Many WNBA players compete overseas in the offseason to supplement their modest W salaries. The league confirmed last week that all other players who had been competing in Russia and Ukraine were no longer in the countries.
Shortly following Saturday’s news, the W released a statement saying Griner has the league’s “full support” and that the “main priority is her swift and safe return to the United States.”
Adding another scary layer to this story is the concern that Russia could be using Griner as a “high-profile hostage” to gain leverage in negotiations with the U.S.
The bigger picture: As a Black, lesbian woman being held in a country with appalling anti-LGBTQIA+ laws, Griner’s mental and physical well-being are of primary concern.
Plus, this story raises further questions, like: Why are we only now learning about her detainment? What can the W do to protect their players playing overseas?
The details are still unfolding, and we’ll be following closely.
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So horrible!
Wow. This is horrible! Praying for her safe return.