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.
Woody (formerly, Weringdale) is an unincorporated community in Kern County, California. It is located 25 miles (40 km) north-northeast of Bakersfield, at an elevation of 1654 feet (504 m). Woody was founded in 1889, and was named after Dr. Sparrell Walter Woody, who was a pioneer in the area. The first post office at Woody also opened in 1889. In 1891, Joseph Weringer laid out the town, then called Weringdale, but the name quickly reverted to Woody. Woody is mostly a ranch town, even though the ranches of Woody, lie usually a few miles out of town. At the "outskirts" of town is the Blue Mountain Graveyard. Across from the graveyard is the fire department. About one hundred yards west of the fire department, is a post office. In the town there is also an elementary school and a community hall, where the Woody residents have gatherings and events. There used to be a restaurant/ bar in Woody, but financial problems caused it to close. Woody has been influenced by the nearby Blue Mountain. Blue Mountain at one time had a gold mine. Then bad times hit the mine and the owners sold out to the government, who dynamited the inside of the mine and sealed off the entrance. It has been rumored that the outlaw Joaquin Murrieta once had a cave/ hideout, that he used while on the run, however nobody has been able to find it, so it is just an "rural" legend.