Human Rights Campaign Statement of Support for Brittney Griner After Sentencing

by Elizabeth Bibi

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, WNBA star Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison. In response, Human Rights Campaign Interim President Joni Madison issued the following statement of support for Griner:


“Over the past several months, the world has watched with growing concern as Brittney Griner – an American hero who is so much more than a WNBA superstar and Olympian – continues to be detained in Russia. We join with so many of Brittney’s loved ones – her friends, teammates, and family – in sending her support as she endures this unimaginable hardship, so far from home.

“Today’s harsh sentencing is merely the latest example of how she is being used as a political pawn – and it has to stop. It is long past time that we bring Brittney home and we support the Biden administration’s efforts to do so.”


Joni Madison, Interim President, Human Rights Campaign

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