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.
Allendale is an unincorporated community in Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also a census-designated place (CDP) for statistical purposes. The population was 11,555 at the 2000 census. The community is located within Allendale Charter Township and the CDP area consists of about the northern two thirds of the township, from the eastern boundary with the Grand River west along Pierce St. , north along 75th Ave. , then west along Lake Michigan Drive to the western boundary of the township. Apart from the CDP definition, the community is centered at the intersection of M-45 and 68th Ave. , which are the only roads which cross the Grand River in the county east of Grand Haven.. It is a part of the Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland, Michigan combined statistical area, and is an exurb of Grand Rapids, due to its major commuter routes into the city. The Allendale ZIP code 49401 serves most of the area of the CDP except for the westernmost portion. The 49401 ZIP code also serve portions of southern Allendale Township not included in the CDP as well as portions of Blendon Township to the south and Georgetown Township to the southeast. The northwestern part of the CDP is served by the Grand Haven ZIP code 49417. The west central portion of the CDP is served by the West Olive ZIP code 49460. Allendale is named for the township. Malta was initially chosen as the name for the township, however when the township was organized in 1849, state senator Pennoyer changed the name to Allendale, after Agnes Allen, the first person on the tax roll in the area and the widow of Hannibal Allen, who was the son of Revolutionary War hero Ethan Allen. Allendale is best known as being home to the main campus of Grand Valley State University.