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.
Berea is a city in Madison County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 9,851 at the 2000 census, a 2008 estimate put the population at 14,431. It is the fastest growing town in Kentucky and one of the fastest growing in the nation, having increased by 43.4% since 2000. Its most prominent institution is Berea College, which owns a substantial percentage of the city's land. Due to the high number of arts and crafts produced, Berea is a tourist attraction. It hosts several Crafts Festivals throughout the year. Berea also hosts a Spoonbread Festival in mid-September, which features a cornmeal bread traditionally served with a wooden spoon. Berea is a principal city of the Richmond–Berea Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Madison and Rockcastle counties.