Mike Mattina/Getty Images
Brittney Griner is using her newfound freedom to make a difference for Paul Whelan and other Americans being “wrongfully detained.”
Griner was released from Russian custody on December 8. On Wednesday, she took to Instagram to share a photo of a handwritten letter with her fans.
Thanks to the efforts of many, including you, I am home after nearly 10 months. You took time to show me you cared, and I want to personally take the time to write to you and say that your effort mattered. Your letters helped me to not lose hope during a time where I was full of regret and vulnerable in ways I could have never imagined.
Griner thanked the public from the bottom of her heart. She added that because of them, she “never lost hope.”
Your letters were also bigger than uplifting me. They showed me the power of collective hands. Together, we can do hard things. I’m living proof of that.
Griner notes that because of her return, her family is now “whole.” And have the privilege of celebrating the holidays together. However, she believes “there remain too many families with loved ones wrongfully detained.”
Those families stood alongside you and all who supported the #WeAreBG campaign to bring me home, and it’s our turn to support them. I hope you’ll join me in writing to Paul Whelan and continuing to advocate for other Americans to be rescued and returned to their families.
Griner ended the letter by thanking the public once again. And sending everyone “joy and love” this holiday season.
At the bottom of the letter, Griner included Whelan’s mailing address. According to PEOPLE, Whelan is currently receiving mail through the American Citizen Services Unit Consular.
Griner also captioned the post.
Thank you. Your words matter.
In an interview with ESPN, Griner’s agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas shared that the 32-year-old would be utilizing “her fame for good.”
There’s no timeline on her return at this point. She’s reintegrating into a world that has changed for her now. From a pure security standpoint she’s not going to be able to move in the world the way she did. It’s not a fate that she asked for, but I think she’s going to try to utilize her fame for good.
Colas explained that Griner would use her platform to advocate for other Americans being wrongfully detained — noting Paul Whelan in particular. According to the outlet, Whelan is a former U.S. Marine who has been detained in a Russian prison for four years. He is being held on espionage charges.
