FROM DETENTION TO FREEDOM
Feb. 17, 2022: Griner arrested on drug charges and detained.
Feb. 24: Russia invades Ukraine.
March 5: News of Griner’s arrest breaks publicly.
March 6: U.S. secretary of state discusses Griner’s detainment.
March 17: Griner’s detention extended.
March 23: U.S. officials meet with Griner.
March 30: WNBA players break silence on Griner’s detainment.
April 11: WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert assures league is working toward bringing Griner home.
April 26: Agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas’ op-ed appears in Los Angeles Times.
May 3: U.S. Department of State designates Griner as “wrongful detention”; WNBA announces it will honor Griner with seasonlong tribute.
May 13: Griner’s detention extended 30 days; Russian media cites arms dealer Viktor Bout as possible exchange.
May 17: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says league working to bring Griner home.
May 25: Cherelle Griner does first interview, with Robin Roberts for “Good Morning America,” then Angela Rye for ESPN around Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, calling on President Biden to help bring her wife home.
Early June: U.S. government offers Russia Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan in exchange for Viktor Bout.
July 1: Griner’s trial begins.
July 4: Griner sends handwritten letter to President Joe Biden pleading for her release and citing fears she will never be released.
July 6: President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris call Cherelle Griner.
July 7: Griner pleads guilty to drug charges; Megan Rapinoe honors Griner in her Medal of Freedom ceremony at White House; Cherelle Gri-
ner interviews with April Ryan for TheGrio; Phoenix Mercury hold rally at arena.
July 8: WNBA players and Rev. Al Sharpton hold press conference in Chicago prior to WNBA All-Star Game.
July 10: WNBA honors Griner at All-Star Game with players wearing matching jerseys with her number on them.
July 14: Russian teammate, GM support Griner in court.
July 15: Lawyer argues Griner allowed to use marijuana for pain.
July 19: President Biden signs executive order to bolster efforts to free Americans wrongfully detained overseas.
July 20: Steph Curry, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike advocate for Griner’s release at the ESPYs.
July 27: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announces U.S. made a significant offer for prisoner swap.
July 28: Russia responds: Negotiations should be kept quiet.
Aug. 4: Griner found guilty, sentenced to nine years in prison; statement released from over 40 coalition of human and civil rights organizations supporting Griner and the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts.
August: Griner’s defense team appeals conviction.
Sept. 16: President Biden meets with Cherelle Griner and Lindsay Kagawa Colas at White House.
Oct. 17: Wasserman launches #WeAreBG campaign.
Oct. 25: Russian court rejects Griner’s appeal of nine-year sentence.
Nov. 17: Griner moved to penal colony in Mordovia.
Nov. 22: Playa Society shirt drops in conjunction with South Carolina vs. Stanford women’s basketball game, where a letter-writing station is also set up.
Dec. 8: Griner is freed in prisoner exchange with Russia; Cherelle Griner (left) visits with the Biden administration at the White House.
Dec. 9: Griner arrives at Kelly Field at the Joint Base in San Antonio, setting first steps on U.S. soil in nearly 10 months.