The Politics of Pleasure
March 3, 2022
For some of us, simply living in our bodies is a daily act against oppression, against marginalization, criminalization and hate. This work is exhausting…most justice work is. That’s why finding what brings us joy is so central to both our individual and our collective liberation. While seemingly simple, when put in practice, pleasure can be revolutionary.
This is the idea that Adrienne Maree Brown puts forth in her book, “Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good.” Taking inspiration from Black feminist writers like Audre Lorde and Octavia Butler, the author, activist and doula demonstrates how we can tap into our desire to organize against oppression. Adrienne’s work is a gift for so many who don’t feel that pleasure is an accessible reality including: women, people of color, trans and non binary folks, queer folks, disabled folks, and survivors of sexual violence.
Adrienne joins us today to share why finding pleasure should be centered in our justice work.
In this episode
This Episode Covers the Following Issues
Related Content
-
MinnesotaDec 2025
Criminal Law Reform
Osorio-calderon V. Warden, Fci Sandstone. Explore Case.Osorio-Calderon v. Warden, FCI Sandstone
This case is about whether people unlawfully incarcerated beyond their mandatory transfer dates under the First Step Act can file habeas corpus petitions seeking their release from prison onto prerelease custody in the community.Status: Ongoing -
IdahoFeb 2026
Criminal Law Reform
Immigrants' Rights
Rodriguez, Et Al. V. Porter, Et Al.. Explore Case.Rodriguez, et al. v. Porter, et al.
On February 10, 2026, CLRP, along with the Ƶ of Idaho and Wendy J. Olson, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho, and partner at Stoel Rives, filed a putative class action lawsuit challenging an immigration raid carried out at a popular family event in Wilder, Idaho in October 2025.Status: Ongoing -
Press ReleaseFeb 2026
Criminal Law Reform
Immigrants' Rights
Aclu Files Lawsuit Against Federal, State, And Local Police For Mass Immigration Raid At Family Event In Wilder, Idaho. Explore Press Release.Ƶ Files Lawsuit Against Federal, State, and Local Police for Mass Immigration Raid at Family Event in Wilder, Idaho
BOISE – The Ƶ and the Ƶ of Idaho filed a putative class action lawsuit today challenging an immigration raid carried out at a popular family event in Wilder, Idaho. In October 2025, more than 200 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers descended on the La Catedral arena with armored trucks and helicopters, flashbang grenades, and guns drawn, detaining approximately 400 spectators – including U.S. citizens and children – for four hours of detention in inhumane conditions. On October 19, at the height of an otherwise festive and calm day, masked law enforcement stormed La Catedral arena to conduct a dragnet immigration raid. They shoved compliant people to the ground, forcibly dragged people out of their cars, shot rubber bullets, and threw flashbang grenades into cars that had people sitting inside. Parents and children were zip tied at gunpoint, and agents subjected people to hours of violent and degrading treatment. “Our plaintiffs were treated as less than human because ICE and their willing partners think they can disregard fundamental rights if it gets them immigration arrests,” said Jenn Rolnick Borchetta, deputy director of policing at the Ƶ. “From Wilder, to Minneapolis, to Chicago, the Trump administration is trampling our rights using racially biased tactics that make us all less safe. The administration can suggest that this abuse is immune from legal consequences, but it is not, and we intend to prove that in court.” The Ƶ’s lawsuit is brought on behalf of three Latino families who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and a putative class and challenges the discriminatory and unreasonable mass detention of hundreds of attendees. The lawsuit centrally claims that federal and state actors conspired to deprive those detained of equal protection based on ethnicity, under laws created after the Civil War to prevent racialized government violence. Juana Rodriguez and her 3-year-old son are U.S. citizens. Juana was handcuffed in zip ties for several hours. Police instructed Juana’s 3-year-old to hold onto her pocket, which officers turned inside out. He held onto her pocket crying during the several hours they were detained. "On October 19, I took my 3-year-old to a family-friendly event where we could eat, play, and enjoy horse races together,” said Juana Rodriguez. “What happened turned our outing into a nightmare. My toddler was forced to witness an incredible amount of violence against people he loves and hear racial slurs about Latinos, experiences that no child should ever be exposed to. I'll never forget hearing his little voice pleading with me to give him food and water for hours on end. As a parent, nothing is more heartbreaking than hearing your child cry out in fear and being told you cannot hold or comfort them. “I am a proud U.S. citizen, and I didn't do anything wrong. While nothing will ever undo the harm of that day, I joined this lawsuit because I know what happened to me was wrong and because no family should be treated this way again.” The horseraces at La Catedral are a beloved family-friendly event in Wilder and have long been a place for the local Latino community to celebrate Mexican culture. On typical weekends at La Catedral, families with young children and elderly grandparents spend time outside together, enjoying the races, their favorite Mexican foods, and playing games. "In moments like this, we ask ourselves: is this the kind of society we want to be?" said Leo Morales, executive director of the Ƶ of Idaho. "Those children and their mothers are traumatized for life. It is heartbreaking that federal, state, and local police turned a family-friendly event into a place of nightmares. While nothing can undo what these families endured, we can hold those in power to account and ensure no one else has to endure this treatment in the future." The lawsuit was filed by the Ƶ, Ƶ of Idaho, and Wendy J. Olson, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho, and partner at Stoel Rives. The complaint is available here: /documents/rodriguez-et-al-v-porter-et-al-class-action-complaintCourt Case: Rodriguez, et al. v. Porter, et al.Affiliate: Idaho -
News & CommentaryJan 2026
Criminal Law Reform
Can It Be A Felony To Possess A Gun If You Smoke Weed?. Explore News & Commentary.Can It Be a Felony to Possess a Gun if You Smoke Weed?
The Supreme Court should reject a prosecution that treats possession of a gun as a felony if you use marijuana.By: Louise Melling, Yasmin Cader