Christopher is a city in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,836 at the 2000 census. It was the site of an early-morning railroad freight train derailment on Monday, December 4, 2006, involving two locomotives and 21 cars of an 83-car Union Pacific train; an unknown hazardous chemical spill ensued and mildly sickened several victims and rescue personnel, who were treated but not hospitalized. Christopher was the birthplace of the actor John Malkovich, former NBA player and coach Doug Collins, America's Next Top Model contestant Nichole Smith, Fear Factor contestant Christopher Dallas-Feeney and Match Game host Gene Rayburn.
What is civil rights law?
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.