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.
Udall is a city in Cowley County, Kansas, United States. The population was 794 at the 2000 census. On May 25, 1955, the deadliest tornado to ever hit the state of Kansas struck Udall at 10:35 p.m. The town was demolished. No building within the city limits was untouched, including the grain elevator and water tower. 77 people in Udall lost their lives and another 270 were injured. 192 buildings, including 170 homes were destroyed. Before striking Udall, there were no warnings issued by the Weather Bureau, so the towns residents figured that they had seen the worst of it. Unknown to them, the same tornado had just laid waste to the city of Blackwell, Oklahoma, across the border from Udall. 20 Oklahomans died and 250 were injured in Blackwell.