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.
Elk Rapids is a village in Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,700 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Elk Rapids Township, near in proximity to Traverse City. Elk Rapids is a suburb. It is physically split by the Elk River, which runs between nearby Elk Lake and Grand Traverse Bay. The village is currently taking steps to ensure that its unique main street with local shops remains intact by restricting development by national chains until the Village Council can work out a long term development plan according to the Town Meeting, October 17, 2008. It has a quaint main street with a collection of small shops selling knickknacks.