We are overwhelmed with relief and joy by the news that
Brittney Griner has been released from Russia!
Brittney Griner is a Black, queer woman and one of top players in the WNBA and in the overseas professional basketball league for the last 9 years! She was detained by the Russian government under suspicious pretenses without U.S. consular support!
News of Brittney’s detention began to circulate in U.S. media on March 5th, weeks after her detainment. The lack of transparency and communication from Russian authorities has caused experts on to call into doubt the allegations against Brittney.
When we began this campaign more than nine months ago, we had three simple demands:
- We demanded the U.S. government prioritize the swift, safe release and return of Brittney Griner back to the United States—facing no charges.
- We demanded ongoing visible proof of Brittney Griner’s safety and well-being, as well as consistent communication and wellness checks while she was in custody.
- We demanded Brittney Griner have access to the same benefits and protections as any other U.S. citizen, including but not limited to consistent U.S. consular access.
1 https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/12/us/brittney-griner-detained-americans-history/index.html
2 https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/14/sport/brittney-griner-arrest-russia-jonathan-franks-cmd-spt-intl/index.html
3 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/05/sports/basketball/russia-brittney-griner.html
We are so grateful to those of you who took the time to sign our petition and cared about Brittney’s release, her well-being, and her protection. We’re hoping she finds rest on the heels of this injustice and that her family is able to find peace now, with her safe return home.
Brittney’s release is a cause for celebration, but we remain horrified by Brittney’s detention and all that she had to endure when her case was not prioritized. We understand that while Brittney’s return brings us a sigh of relief, we know that she has far more road to cover in the future toward ending this nightmare.
Brittney’s story is just one of many that cannot be forgotten or erased. The systemic policing, criminalization, and deprioritization of Black people continue worldwide. We affirm and will continue fighting for the just and equal treatment of Black women, LGBTQ+, and gender-expansive people—no matter their status or class.
Black feminisms
gets us free
Black Feminist Future (BFF) is a member-centered organization and our members help inform our work, campaigns, and initiatives. At BFF, we’re centering leadership development, community care, and joy in order to build the political and social power that we need to win concrete changes in our lives, community, and beyond.
