Brittney Griner is utilizing her newfound freedom to make a distinction for Paul Whelan and different Americans being “wrongfully detained.”
Griner’s Holiday Request
Griner was launched from Russian custody on December 8. On Wednesday, she took to Instagram to share a photograph of a handwritten letter together with her followers.
Thanks to the efforts of many, together with you, I’m residence after almost 10 months. You took time to point out me you cared, and I wish to personally take the time to write down to you and say that your effort mattered. Your letters helped me to not lose hope throughout a time the place I used to be filled with remorse and susceptible in methods I may have by no means imagined.
Griner thanked the general public from the underside of her coronary heart. She added that due to them, she “never lost hope.”
Your letters had been additionally greater than uplifting me. They confirmed me the ability of collective palms. Together, we will do onerous issues. I’m dwelling proof of that.
Griner notes that due to her return, her household is now “whole.” And have the privilege of celebrating the vacations collectively. However, she believes “there remain too many families with loved ones wrongfully detained.”
Those households stood alongside you and all who supported the #WeAreBG marketing campaign to deliver me residence, and it’s our flip to assist them. I hope you’ll be part of me in writing to Paul Whelan and persevering with to advocate for different Americans to be rescued and returned to their households.
Griner ended the letter by thanking the general public as soon as once more. And sending everybody “joy and love” this vacation season.
At the underside of the letter, Griner included Whelan’s mailing deal with. According to PEOPLE, Whelan is presently receiving mail by the American Citizen Services Unit Consular.
Griner additionally captioned the publish.
Thank you. Your phrases matter.
Griner’s Intention To Advocate For Other Families
In an interview with ESPN, Griner’s agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas shared that the 32-year-old could be using “her fame for good.”
There’s no timeline on her return at this level. She’s reintegrating right into a world that has modified for her now. From a pure safety standpoint she’s not going to have the ability to transfer on the planet the way in which she did. It’s not a destiny that she requested for, however I feel she’s going to attempt to make the most of her fame for good.
Colas defined that Griner would use her platform to advocate for different Americans being wrongfully detained — noting Paul Whelan specifically. According to the outlet, Whelan is a former U.S. Marine who has been detained in a Russian jail for 4 years. He is being held on espionage costs.