Dozens of organizations representing voters, women and LGBTQ voters called for President Biden To sign a deal for the release on Wednesday Brittney GrinerWNBA star detained in Russia since February.
In a letter sent to Mr. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the group said Mr. Greener “has been deprived of family contact and continues to endure inhumane treatment.”
The letter said the United States “acknowledges that Britney is essentially a political pawn in classifying her as tort.” The signatories quoted “deep appreciation” for the administration’s efforts to free Ms. Greener, but “to you to make her deal to bring Britney back to the United States quickly and safely. I highly recommend it. “
Phoenix Mercury basketball players Detained in Russia on February 17 About the accusation that she had hashish oil in her luggage. Initially, Mr Greener’s camp was concerned that publicity could exacerbate the situation due to tensions between Russia and the United States, including the Ukrainian War.
But the group’s approach is State Department said on May 3 Mr. Greener determined that he was “unjustly detained.” That meant that despite her legal action against her in Russia, the United States could spend more effort to bring her home.
For the past few weeks, WNBA players have worked with Grinner’s wife, Cherel, and others. Attempted to pay attention to her case..
Letters from groups such as the National Women’s Organization, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Urban League, and the National Action Network, are the latest in action, by Lindsay, Grinner’s agent, who worked with democratic strategist Karen Finney. Adjusted by Kagawa Chorus. others. A group representing a coalition of members who supported Mr. Biden’s election said he was increasingly dissatisfied with the pace of efforts to bring Mr. Greener home.
“In my understanding, they have not begun negotiations on her release. Therefore, this letter is very powerful, because we emphasize the fact that you are in the process of making a deal. We need a lot of support, “said Cherelle Griner.
“I hope I understand it clearly,” she said of the White House’s strategy. “They talk a lot with me in the code.”
When it was already decided that her wife had been illegally detained, the administration was “discussing whether they should start negotiations,” she said. “Instead, they are arguing and wasting time from my wife’s life.”
White House officials declined to comment.
Government officials said Biden’s team was in regular contact with the Griner family, and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Cherelle Griner in May. The hostage ambassador is also in contact with Greener’s team.
New Mexico Governor and former United Nations Ambassador Bill Richardson is also trying to free Grinner and another Russian American, former Marine, Paul Welan.
Still, Cherelle Griner said he wasn’t sure how much the White House prioritized the case. She told the Associated Press that she was supposed to talk to her wife on the phone for the first time in about four months on the weekend, but the issue of logistical support at the US Embassy in Moscow overturned the plan.
According to APThe embassy was supposed to facilitate the call between the two women. But when Brittney Griner called the embassy to patch his wife in the United States, there was no answer. Brittney Griner’s lawyer, AP reported, tried to make 11 calls while her wife wasted waiting for the call.
“I was distraught. I was hurt. I’m done, I’m sick,” Cherelle Griner told AP.