Brittney Griner Comes Home

After months of negotiations with Russia, the Biden administration finally arranged a trade to get 2 time Gold Medal Olympian and WNBA player, Brittney Griner back to the US. This action was followed by much controversy around the country, including here at Palisade High.

10 months ago while Griner was playing Basketball in Russia during the WNBA offseason, Russian Airport officials found less than a gram of Hash oil in her bag. Hash oil is concentrated liquid marijuana, normally found in cartridges for vapes or dap pens. Griner was found to possess .702 grams, far less than the illegal 2 grams in Russia, which would only amount to a fine or 15 days jail time. For these reasons many suspected this as a targeted political arrest. Especially with Russia invading Ukraine and disrupting World Affairs not even a week after the arrest. Griner was then charged to 9 years in prison by Russian courts. She was sent to Russian prisons but just a few months ago sent to a labor camp. For Months the Presidential administration has been hard at work trying to get Griner home. They finally struck a deal with Russia last week. In exchange for Brittney Griner, Russia would receive convicted Arms dealer Viktor Bout. Many shared concern over this decision, especially with American Paul Whelen still in Russian captivity since 2018. Griner returned to San Antonio last Thursday after an 18 hour flight and was even spotted playing Basketball on Sunday.

However the topic of Griner’s return has become very controversial, with Bill Troutwine, the I.T. specialist for Palisade and Mt. Garfield stated, “I’m kinda mixed emotions, I do feel that if it was anyone else other than some public figure, they’d still be over there.” Despite critiques like this, many Americans are celebrating and Griner is back to the U.S. ready to get back to it.