CNN
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As she obtained the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the best civilian honor in the USA – Megan Rapinoe paid tribute to detained WNBA star Brittney Griner, sporting a cream blazer with the initials ‘BG’ and a bunch of flowers embroidered onto the lapel.
“An important a part of the day…BG we love you,” Rapinoe mentioned in an Instagram story alongside a close-up image of the embroidery element.
Griner has been held in Russia since February on accusations of drug smuggling and is formally categorised as “wrongfully detained,” a US State Division official informed CNN in Might.
On Thursday, the identical day as Rapinoe obtained the Medal of Freedom, Griner pleaded responsible to drug costs in a Russian court docket.
Supporters of the Phoenix Mercury star have referred to as for her launch over fears she is getting used as a political pawn amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – a sentiment echoed by Rapinoe.
“BG is a getting used as a political pawn and we have to deliver her hom [sic] instantly,” she wrote on an Instagram story.
“This plea doesn’t change that @potus must and is working exhausting to get her residence. From what I perceive she needed to plea to maintain the method of getting her residence asap in movement. BG we’re with you.”
Some have speculated Griner might be launched and returned to the US in a prisoner swap, as was Trevor Reed, an American veteran detained in Russia for 3 years earlier than his launch in April. There isn’t a indication such a swap is imminent in Griner’s case.
Nonetheless, earlier than any potential prisoner swap, it was anticipated Griner must be convicted and in addition admit fault, a senior US official informed CNN. Reed needed to signal a doc saying he was responsible – one thing he had resisted for nearly the whole thing of his detention – simply days earlier than he was let loose, the official mentioned.
“It’s a part of the present and the doc has no authorized drive or impact within the US. It’s successfully meaningless,” mentioned Reed household spokesperson Jonathan Franks.
Rapinoe obtained the Medal of Freedom alongside 16 different recipients, together with fellow Olympic athlete Simone Biles.
In a speech introducing the star soccer participant, President Joe Biden praised Rapinoe’s position in securing equal pay for the ladies’s staff and her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.
“I’m humbled and really honored to be chosen for this award by President Biden and really feel as impressed and motivated as ever to proceed this lengthy historical past of preventing for the freedoms of all folks,” Rapinoe mentioned in a press release.
“To cite Emma Lazarus, ‘Till we’re all free, we’re none of us free.’”
