WNBA player Brittney Griner was arrested in Russia back in February for the illegal possession of marijuana. Since then, she has been held by the Russian Federation for smuggling drugs into the country.

Griner is among the WNBA players who protested America by remaining in the locker room during the National Anthem in the 2020 WNBA season. Although she outwardly despises the United States, she is now pleading for her country’s help as she is held in a country that takes its laws very seriously.

Brittney Griner

Now LeBron James, who has also demonstrated opposition to his country, is among the many woke Americans begging for the United States to help return Griner home.

In a tweet, James wrote,

“We need to come together and help do whatever we possibly can to bring GB home quickly and safely!! Our voice as athletes is stronger together.”

He attached a statement to the post that said,

“For over 100 days, BG has faced inhumane conditions in a Russian prison and has been denied communications with her family and loved ones. 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. It is imperative that the U.S. Government immediately address this human rights issue and do whatever is necessary to return Brittney home.”

The current NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, also called on the U.S. government to help get Griner released:

“It’s been now over 100 days since she’s been illegally held in Russia. I think it’s something that all of us should be heard on, contacting your representatives and others. I will only say, we are working in lockstep with the U.S. government and outside experts on trying to expedite her release in any way we can. Certainly, our hearts go out to her and her family and are just eager for her safe return.”

While supporters of Griner may insist that she has been “wrongfully detained,” she was a fool to smuggle drugs into Russia and think she was going to get away with it. As far as Russian law goes, they have every right to lock her up for what she did.

Especially given the U.S.-Russian relations at present, it remains unknown if Griner will be released any time in the near future.

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