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.
Pavo is a city that is divided by the county line between Brooks County and Thomas County, Georgia. It is part of the Valdosta, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 711 at the 2000 census – 418 of the city's 711 residents (58.8%) lived in Thomas County and 298 (41.2%) in Brooks County. Pavo is home to a branch of the Thomas County Public Library System. Pavo was featured in country music star Alan Jackson's video for his hit song "Little Man", lamenting the decline of small town America.