This week, a Russian court sentenced Brittney Griner to nine years in a penal colony after she pled guilty to drug charges. Griner was arrested in February after officials found cannabis oil in her luggage. In Griner’s statement, provided by Reuters, she says she committed an honest mistake and “had no intent on breaking any Russians laws.”
The world was shocked by the court’s decision, believing that the harsh punishment is linked with the rising tensions between Russia and the US as the war on Ukraine persists. Celebrities reacted to the verdict, spreading the news and calling on the US government to act and stand up for Griner.
Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber shared a statement on his Instagram stories. “This hurts,” he wrote. “If anyone knows of any way I can help please let me know.”
Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union spread the news on her Instagram, writing “Bring her home!!!!” and using the hashtag #WeAreBG
Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith shared the news on her Instagram, discussing two of the biggest news of the day: the arrest of the officers responsible for the death of Breonna Taylor and Griner’s Russian sentence. “On the same day where we finally got some justice for Breonna… I find out that Brittney Griner just got 9 years in Russia.”
Trevor Noah
In “The Daily Show,” Trevor Noah didn’t hold back on his criticisms of Russia, calling Griner’s imprisonment “bulls--t.”
“We all know Russia doesn’t care about what Brittney Griner did,” Noah said. “This is the same country that’s breaking every human rights law on the planet, but they’re like, ‘That woman has vape cartridge. She’s real criminal.‘”
WNBA
The WNBA also released a statement showing their support for Griner. “Today’s verdict and sentence, while inevitable, is disappointing,” reads the opening.”We are counting on this administration.” “Given her record of service on and off the court, BG deserves to come home.”
You can read their statement in full on WNBPA’s Twitter account.
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