Service + Solidarity Spotlight: WNBPA Joins Calls for Release of Brittney Griner

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

On Feb. 17, WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner was arrested by Russian authorities at a Moscow airport. Since her arrest more than three months ago, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) has been strongly advocating for her release. Our union sisters in the NWSL Players Associations (NWSLPA) have joined the WNBPA and thousands of fans in calling for the U.S. government to prioritize Griner’s release from prison. Like so many other elite female athletes, Griner was playing abroad because of unjust pay inequity in American sports.

“It has been 82 days that our friend and sister, Brittney Griner, has been wrongfully detained in Russia. It is time for her to come home,” the NWSLPA tweeted on May 10. “Know that we are watching. We are paying attention.” On Saturday, the NWSLPA retweeted the WNBPA’s statement as Griner’s detention in Russia reached 100 days. Click here to sign the petition.