Brittney Griner shows up at NYC event after release from prison, vows to help 'every American detained overseas'
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Brittney Griner's recent appearance at Al Sharpton's National Action Network (NAN) convention in NYC on Thursday, April 13, was her first public sighting since being released from a Russian prison. She expressed gratitude to Sharpton for his assistance in securing her release, after spending ten months in custody for possessing cannabis oil.
Griner's appearance at the convention followed her announcement that she will publish a memoir chronicling her experience in prison. "It means everything to be here today," Griner said in brief remarks after being introduced by Sharpton at his National Action Network convention at the Sheraton Hotel near Times Square. "Everyone in this room that came together, sent out every prayer, it reached me while I was there, and I just want to thank every single one of you here," she said during the conferece.
READ MORE
'Bring home every American detained overseas'
Griner, who is set to play her eleventh season in the WNBA with the Phoenix Mercury, also shared her plans to advocate for American citizens who have been imprisoned overseas. "I want to continue to fight to bring home every American detained overseas," she said. "We have to reunite all those families that are going through this really strange time, challenging time."
Griner's decision to write a memoir about her experience in Russia coincided with her recent appearance at the NAN convention. She hopes that her book will not only shed light on her experiences but also raise awareness about the plight of other Americans detained overseas. These include Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, businessman Kai Li, and Paul Whelan, who are all currently imprisoned on various charges in Russia and China. By sharing her story and advocating for their release, Griner aims to make a difference in the lives of those who have been wrongly detained and imprisoned abroad.
Brittney Griner was freed from Russian jail in a prisoner swap
"By writing this book, I also hope to raise awareness surrounding other Americans wrongfully detained abroad such as Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Emad Shargi, Airan Berry, Shahab Dalili, Luke Denman, Eyvin Hernandez, Majd Kamalmaz, Jerrel Kenemore, Kai Li, Siamak Namazi, Austin Tice, Mark Swidan and Morad Tahbaz," Griner said in a press release. Griner was freed from prison as part of a prisoner exchange arranged by the Biden Administration, which involved the release of Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in exchange for her freedom.