Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImageBrittney Grineris thanking those who advocated for her release.The WNBA star, 32, made a surprise appearance and speech at a National Action Network women’s empowerment luncheon in New York City on Thursday, per theAssociate Press.Griner addressed the crowd, per AP, saying, “Everyone in this room that came together, that sent up every prayer, it reached me while I was there [in Russia].““I want to continue to fight to bring every American detained overseas,” added Griner, who had been released from a Russian jail after spending nearly 10 months in custody.Rev. Al Sharpton, an American civil rights activist who is the founder and president of the National Action Network, previously called for U.S. officials to secure Griner’s release from Russian prison, according to the AP.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Johnny Nunez/WireImageGriner was photographed in a dark brown power suit shaking hands with Sharpton, and taking to the podium at the event alongside her wifeCherelleand Sharpton.Griner was sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison on drug smuggling charges after officialsallegedly foundvape cartridges containing hash oil, an illegal substance in the country, in her luggage in February. She wasreleased in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bouton Dec. 8 and returned to the U.S. a day later.The basketball star announced Tuesday that she will tell her “raw, emotional” story of her arrest and ten-month detainment in Russiain a new memoir, which is slated to be released next year.The book will include previously-unheard details about Griner’s “stark” living conditions and the “terrifying aspects” of day-to-day life in a foreign prison.The release promises that Griner’s “intimate and moving” memoir will explore how the global #WeAreBG movement supported her during her detainment and why she was even playing in Russia to begin with — pay inequity.RELATED Video:Brittney Griner Shares First Statement Since Release from Russian Custody: ‘Dug Deep to Keep My Faith’In a statement about her book, set to be released in spring 2024, Griner said the day she was arrested was “the beginning of an unfathomable period in my life” that she has only recently felt ready to share.“Readers will hear my story and understand why I’m so thankful for the outpouring of support from people across the world,” she said.Griner has advocated for the release of other wrongfully imprisoned Americans since her return to the U.S. said that she also hopes “to raise awareness” surrounding those still detained abroad with her book. She named Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich and Emad Shargi among several others in her statement.
Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage
Brittney Grineris thanking those who advocated for her release.The WNBA star, 32, made a surprise appearance and speech at a National Action Network women’s empowerment luncheon in New York City on Thursday, per theAssociate Press.Griner addressed the crowd, per AP, saying, “Everyone in this room that came together, that sent up every prayer, it reached me while I was there [in Russia].““I want to continue to fight to bring every American detained overseas,” added Griner, who had been released from a Russian jail after spending nearly 10 months in custody.Rev. Al Sharpton, an American civil rights activist who is the founder and president of the National Action Network, previously called for U.S. officials to secure Griner’s release from Russian prison, according to the AP.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Johnny Nunez/WireImageGriner was photographed in a dark brown power suit shaking hands with Sharpton, and taking to the podium at the event alongside her wifeCherelleand Sharpton.Griner was sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison on drug smuggling charges after officialsallegedly foundvape cartridges containing hash oil, an illegal substance in the country, in her luggage in February. She wasreleased in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bouton Dec. 8 and returned to the U.S. a day later.The basketball star announced Tuesday that she will tell her “raw, emotional” story of her arrest and ten-month detainment in Russiain a new memoir, which is slated to be released next year.The book will include previously-unheard details about Griner’s “stark” living conditions and the “terrifying aspects” of day-to-day life in a foreign prison.The release promises that Griner’s “intimate and moving” memoir will explore how the global #WeAreBG movement supported her during her detainment and why she was even playing in Russia to begin with — pay inequity.RELATED Video:Brittney Griner Shares First Statement Since Release from Russian Custody: ‘Dug Deep to Keep My Faith’In a statement about her book, set to be released in spring 2024, Griner said the day she was arrested was “the beginning of an unfathomable period in my life” that she has only recently felt ready to share.“Readers will hear my story and understand why I’m so thankful for the outpouring of support from people across the world,” she said.Griner has advocated for the release of other wrongfully imprisoned Americans since her return to the U.S. said that she also hopes “to raise awareness” surrounding those still detained abroad with her book. She named Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich and Emad Shargi among several others in her statement.
Brittney Grineris thanking those who advocated for her release.
The WNBA star, 32, made a surprise appearance and speech at a National Action Network women’s empowerment luncheon in New York City on Thursday, per theAssociate Press.
Griner addressed the crowd, per AP, saying, “Everyone in this room that came together, that sent up every prayer, it reached me while I was there [in Russia].”
“I want to continue to fight to bring every American detained overseas,” added Griner, who had been released from a Russian jail after spending nearly 10 months in custody.
Rev. Al Sharpton, an American civil rights activist who is the founder and president of the National Action Network, previously called for U.S. officials to secure Griner’s release from Russian prison, according to the AP.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Johnny Nunez/WireImage
Griner was photographed in a dark brown power suit shaking hands with Sharpton, and taking to the podium at the event alongside her wifeCherelleand Sharpton.
Griner was sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison on drug smuggling charges after officialsallegedly foundvape cartridges containing hash oil, an illegal substance in the country, in her luggage in February. She wasreleased in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bouton Dec. 8 and returned to the U.S. a day later.
The basketball star announced Tuesday that she will tell her “raw, emotional” story of her arrest and ten-month detainment in Russiain a new memoir, which is slated to be released next year.
The book will include previously-unheard details about Griner’s “stark” living conditions and the “terrifying aspects” of day-to-day life in a foreign prison.
The release promises that Griner’s “intimate and moving” memoir will explore how the global #WeAreBG movement supported her during her detainment and why she was even playing in Russia to begin with — pay inequity.
RELATED Video:Brittney Griner Shares First Statement Since Release from Russian Custody: ‘Dug Deep to Keep My Faith’
In a statement about her book, set to be released in spring 2024, Griner said the day she was arrested was “the beginning of an unfathomable period in my life” that she has only recently felt ready to share.
“Readers will hear my story and understand why I’m so thankful for the outpouring of support from people across the world,” she said.
Griner has advocated for the release of other wrongfully imprisoned Americans since her return to the U.S. said that she also hopes “to raise awareness” surrounding those still detained abroad with her book. She named Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich and Emad Shargi among several others in her statement.
source: people.com
