Black women demand that Russia release WNBA star

Statement from In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda

WASHINGTON — Today, news sources report that a Russian court extended WNBA start Brittney Griner’s detention until May 19, 2022. Griner is being held on charges that she was in possession of hash oil. In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda President and CEO Marcela Howell issued the following statement in support of Griner’s release:

“Brittney Griner — a Black, queer woman — is being detained unjustly. She is widely believed to be held on trumped up charges and is being subjected to a Russian judicial system that operates in secret. What’s more, Griner is clearly a political prisoner who is caught up in Russia’s machinations during the attack on Ukraine.

“We demand that Russia release Brittney Griner now. It’s time for Russian officials to end this injustice and let her return home.”

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In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda is a national Reproductive Justice organization focused on lifting up the voices of Black women leaders at the national, regional, and state levels in our ongoing fight to secure Reproductive Justice for Black women, femmes, girls, and gender-expansive people. Our strategic partners include Black Women for Wellness, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, SisterLove, Inc., SisterReach, SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW, The Afiya Center and Women With A Vision.