Numerous groups representing L.G.B.T.Q., people of color and women are represented. Voters urged President Biden to reach a compromise on Wednesday for Brittney Griner’s release, as the W.N.B.A. star. Star who was detained in Russia from February.
The groups wrote to Kamala Harris and Mr. Biden, stating that Ms. Griner was the recipient of a written apology. “continues to endure inhumane treatment, deprived of contact with her family.”
It stated that the United States was in this letter “has acknowledged that Brittney is essentially a political pawn in classifying her as wrongfully detained.”While the signatories were cited “deep appreciation” for the administration’s efforts to free Ms. Griner, “we now urge you to make a deal to get Brittney back home to America immediately and safely.”
On February 17, the Phoenix Mercury basketball player was arrested in Russia for having hadhish oil in her bag. At first, Ms. Griner’s camp was worried that publicity could make the situation worse because of tensions between Russia and the United States, including the war in Ukraine.
But the group’s approach has changed since the State Department said on May 3 that it had determined Ms. Griner had been “wrongfully detained.”The United States had to be more determined in order to bring her home, even though she was being sued in Russia.
In recent weeks, players with the W.N.B.A., working with Ms. Griner’s wife, Cherelle, and others, have tried to draw attention to her case.
The latest effort, the letter from groups including the National Organization for Women, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Urban League and the National Action Network, was coordinated by Ms. Griner’s agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, who worked with the Democratic strategist Karen Finney and others. They are speaking out because of growing dissatisfaction with the speed of Ms. Griner’s return.
“To my understanding, they have not started negotiating her release, and so this letter is very powerful because it’s much-needed support to highlight the fact that we are at the phase where you guys should be making a deal,”Cherelle Griner spoke.
“I wish I could say I have a clear understanding of it,”She spoke about the White House strategy. “They do a lot of talking in code with me.”
She said that the administration is “debating whether they should start negotiating,”When it was already determined that the wife had been wrongfully held. “Instead, they’re debating and they’re wasting time from my wife’s life.”
Officials from the White House commented on this article after it was posted online. “President Biden has been clear about the need to see all U.S. nationals who are held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad released, including Brittney Griner. The U.S. government continues to work aggressively — using every available means — to bring her home.”
Administration officials have said Mr. Biden’s team is in regular contact with the Griner family and that Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Cherelle Griner in May. The special envoy for hostage affairs is also in touch with Ms. Griner’s team.
Bill Richardson was the former governor in New Mexico. Also, he served as the U.S. ambassador at the United Nations. Richardson also worked hard to get Ms. Griner freed.
Cherelle Griner admitted that the White House is still not prioritizing this case. According to The Associated Press, she had planned to call her spouse by telephone over the weekend. However, a logistical issue at the U.S Embassy in Moscow halted the plan.
According to The A.P. the Embassy was supposed facilitate calls between the women. Brittney Griner attempted to call the Embassy to make contact with her American wife, but she was unsuccessful. Brittney Griner’s lawyers said she tried calling the line 11 times while her wife waited in vain for the call, The A.P. reported.
“I was distraught. I was hurt. I was done, fed up,”Cherelle Griner stated that she spoke for The A.P.
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