Phoenix Mercury superstar, Brittney Griner, made a surprise appearance at an MLK Day march in Phoenix, just six weeks after being released from a Russian prison. She attended the event with her wife, Cherelle, and happily posed for pictures with excited fans.
Griner has a special connection to Arizona as she has played her entire WNBA career with the Mercury after a successful college career at Baylor University in Texas. The march was held on what would have been Martin Luther King Jr.'s 94th birthday.
Arizona was the last state to recognize MLK Jr. Day in 1992, after it was made a federal holiday by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, though it was first observed in 1986. Griner missed the 2021-22 WNBA season after being arrested in Russia for carrying marijuana vape cartridges through an airport in February. She spent over ten months in a Russian penal colony and was released in a prisoner exchange for notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Following Griner's arrest at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport, she pleaded guilty in July but still faced trial because admitting guilt in Russia's judicial system does not automatically end a case.
She acknowledged in court that she possessed canisters with cannabis oil but said she had no criminal intent and she accidentally packed them. Her defense team presented written statements that she had been prescribed cannabis to treat pain.
After her release, Griner wrote on Instagram: 'It feels so good to be home! The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn. I dug deep to keep my faith and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for your help.' Pictured: Fans of the basketball star looked happy to be with her as they posed alongside on Monday.
Plenty of fans got a chance to pose with the Phoenix Mercury star on Monday.
Wife, Cherelle Griner posted a selection of pictures of her and Brittany at Monday's parade.
Griner returned to the United States with a different look, having been forced to cut her dreadlocks due to the extremely cold temperatures in Russia. Since her release, she has kept a low profile. Griner's case brought attention to issues of inequality and injustice, something that Dr. King fought against during his lifetime.
Her presence at the MLK Day march was seen a powerful and symbolic reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality. Cherelle Griner, 30, held her wife, 32, extra close after she emerged from the plane in San Antonio following 294 days separated.
'I was just holding on tight. I couldn't let her go,' Cherelle (pictured left) said speaking of their time apart.
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English (United States) ·