A civil right is an enforceable right or privilege, which if interfered with by another gives rise to an action for injury. Examples of civil rights are freedom of speech, press, and assembly; the right to vote; freedom from involuntary servitude; and the right to equality in public places. Discrimination occurs when the civil rights of an individual are denied or interfered with because of their membership in a particular group or class. Statutes have been enacted to prevent discrimination based on race, sex, religion, age, previous condition of servitude, physical limitation, national origin, and in some instances sexual preference. Civil rights attorneys handle cases involving the rights of individuals to be free from unequal treatment (or discrimination) based on legally-protected characteristics such as race, gender, disability, national origin, age, sexual orientation, and religion. Civil rights cases can arise in a number of settings -- including employment, housing, lending, and education.
Spring Valley is an unincorporated community in San Diego County, California. The community includes the neighborhood of La Presa and part of the neighborhood of Casa de Oro (which extends into unincorporated La Mesa). The United States Census Bureau has divided Spring Valley into two census-designated places (CDPs), Spring Valley and La Presa. The population of Spring Valley was 59,384 at the 2000 census. This figure combines the population of the Spring Valley CDP (26,633) and the La Presa CDP (32,721). There are claims that the Greater Spring Valley area has over 100,000 residents although this claims large areas that are actually unincorporated parts of La Mesa and El Cajon. Spring Valley is served by the 91977 and 91978 ZIP codes.