Brittney Griner’s recent day in court has sparked action among her supporters.

The group kicked off the demonstration at 4:20 p.m. local time, requesting of demonstrators: “If you have used vape cartridges, bring them!” The WNBA star was arrested for having vape cartridges in her luggage, containing 0.702 grams of cannabis oil, which is illegal in Russia.

Protestors smoked marijuana andcarried a 51-foot inflatable jointthat read “Free Britney Griner and the Russians from Putin” in Russian on one side.

The other side read “Free 420 Prisoners,” in reference to PresidentJoe Biden’s recentfederal pardon for simple marijuana possession offenders, which will not result in any federal prisoners being released as possession convictions mostly occur on a state level.

Drew Angerer/Getty

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 27: Cannabis advocates carry a fake inflatable joint outside the Russian Embassy to demand the release of American basketball star Brittney Griner, who has been imprisoned in Russia since February for cannabis possession, October 27, 2022 in Washington, DC. Earlier this week, a Russian appeals court upheld a nine-year prison sentence imposed on Griner. According to the Biden administration, Russia and the United States have been in frequent contact about a potential prisoner exchange involving Griner and others. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Adam Eidinger, cannabis activist and DC Marijuana Justice co-founder, toldThe Washington Post: “Just as it’sunacceptable for Americans to sit behind bars for simple possession of cannabis, it’s absolutely unacceptable for an American sitting in a Russian gulag.”

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WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 27: Cannabis advocates deploy green smoke and a fake inflatable joint outside the Russian Embassy to demand the release of American basketball star Brittney Griner, who has been imprisoned in Russia since February for cannabis possession, October 27, 2022 in Washington, DC. Earlier this week, a Russian appeals court upheld a nine-year prison sentence imposed on Griner. According to the Biden administration, Russia and the United States have been in frequent contact about a potential prisoner exchange involving Griner and others. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

“We feel compelled to protest the Russian Federation and President Putin, who’s clearly using an American citizen as a pawn in his war against Ukraine,” Eidinger added.

Ahead ofGriner’s appeal hearingearlier this week, her lawyers told PEOPLE in a statement: “Brittney is a very strong person and has a champion’s character. She of course has her highs and lows as she is severely stressed being separated from her loved ones for over eight months.”

Brittney Griner.KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty

US' Women’s National Basketball Association (NBA) basketball player Brittney Griner, who was detained at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport and later charged with illegal possession of cannabis, arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on August 4, 2022. - Lawyers for US basketball star Brittney Griner, who is standing trial in Russia on drug charges, said on July 26, 2022 they hoped she would receive a “lenient” sentence.

The Phoenix Mercury center wasdetained in Russiaon drug smuggling charges in February for allegedly possessing hash oil in her luggage. The arrest came days beforeRussia invaded Ukraine, resulting in mass death and devastation.

RELATED VIDEO: What Brittney Griner’s Daily Life Has Looked Like in Russian Prison

Griner’s imprisonment has sparked anational outcry for her release, as President Biden, 79, has evenentered negotiations to potentially exchange the releaseof Griner and another American prisoner for a Russian prisoner in the U.S.

The State Department has alsoclassified her imprisonment as wrongful detainment.

source: people.com