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“Our Prayers Go Out to the Families”: Brittney Griner and Wife Cherelle Send Out a Powerful Message for Victims of Wrongful Confinement After the White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Published 05/01/2023, 12:34 PM EDT

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WNBA star Brittney Griner went through a horrific 10-month period last year during her exile in Russia. She was brought back after the Biden administration struck a prisoner swap deal with Moscow. Since her return, Griner and her wife Cherelle have been advocating for other American citizens imprisoned overseas. Recently, the couple attended the White House Correspondents’ dinner and used the opportunity to share a powerful message for two journalists held captive in a foreign land.

Griner also made her much-awaited return to the hardwood. She recently practiced with her WNBA team, the Phoenix Mercury. However, the WNBA star and her wife remain dedicated to their cause of highlighting the plight of those facing injustice.

Brittney Griner and wife Cherelle share an important message from the White House Correspondents’ dinner

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The annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner 2023 was held on Saturday night in Washington. Among several political figures and media personalities, Griner and Cherelle were also in attendance.

via Imago

The event is a celebration of the first amendment. One of the highlights of the event each year is its comedic performances. However, this year there was an additional agenda concerning US citizens being wrongfully detained in foreign countries, which was also addressed by President Biden.

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Griner and Cherelle shared pictures from the event on their Instagram. They can be seen posing with the President, the First Lady, Gayle King, and comedian Roy Wood Jr, among others. The couple said that they feel grateful to live in a country where freedom of speech is valued so much. They also brought the spotlight on Evan Gershkovich and Austin Tice, two journalists being held in Russia and Syria respectively.

The couple said “Our prayers go out to the families[of Gershkovich and Tice]. Reporting is not a crime and we must bring them home.” The WNBA star and Cherelle Griner also recognized the courage of journalists from different eras.

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During the ceremony, President Biden also conveyed his thoughts on the issue.

Read More: Brittney Griner’s Wife Shares Distressing Update About a Fellow American Months After Making a Powerful Promise

President Biden echoes the sentiments of the Griners

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The President said that the administration is working on their plans to bring back the two journalists. Other than that, he also talked about Paul Whelan, a former American marine who is imprisoned in Russia for several years. The President said, “Evan and Austin should be released immediately, along with every other American held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad.” With the constant efforts from the Griners, we hope the families get the good news soon.

Watch This Story: “When They Play The National Anthem…”: WNBA Star Brittney Griner’s Homecoming Receives Another Cheeky Jibe from UFC Star

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Written by:

Prateek Singh

918Articles

One take at a time

Prateek Singh is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports, known for his insightful coverage of the league. With a deep passion for basketball fueled by the late Kobe Bryant's championship runs, Prateek has built his writing career on astute analysis and a firm understanding of the game. His transparent reporting and dedication to providing quality content have earned him credibility and respect among readers and industry professionals alike.
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Edited by:

Satagni Sikder