News of the US/Russia prisoner swap that freed former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed was met with mixed reactions on social media.
The U.S. State Department swapped a Russian drug lord for Reed this week.
Reed’s return to U.S. soil was met with celebration, but WNBA fans expressed dismay that the Biden administration didn’t include Brittney Griner in that exchange.
The WNBA all-star is still languishing in a Russian jail and is now one of two high-profile U.S. citizens detained in Russia.
Brittney’s petition on Change.org grew to nearly 80,000 signers calling out the administration and others for not doing more to free the Phoenix Mercury center.
Griner’s petition is one of the fastest-growing petitions on Change.org’s site this year.
The 31-year-old was arrested upon her arrival at a Moscow airport in February. Officials say they found vape cartridges containing oil derived from the marijuana plant.
Griner remains in pretrial detention until May 19. She faces 10 years in prison if convicted.
Griner’s life partner, Cherelle Griner, expressed joy for Reed’s family in a post on Instagram.
“I do not personally know them, but I do the pain of having your loved one detained in a foreign country. That level of pain is constant and can only be remediated by a safe return home. For the Reed family, that day is today.”
A Twitter user wrote: “I’m so happy for Trevor Reed and his family! However, we need to do the same for Brittney Griner.”
“What about Brittney Griner, tho?” another person tweeted.
“Brittney Griner couldn’t get in on the release???” a third person asked.
“Why is it so hard to get Brittany Griner home??? … The US just let a Russian drug lord go you would’ve thought the marine and Brittany would’ve been a good trade for US,” another added.
The WNBA season begins on May 6 and Brittney Griner will not be there,” writes publicist Alaina Curry. “The Department of State recently made comments that Griner’s case is a “top priority” but will this be soon?”
