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.
Omena is a small unincorporated community in Leelanau Township of Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. There is a rocky bay in Omena called Omena Bay, on the western side of the Grand Traverse Bay. It is home to wineries and farms; including a thriving organic farming movement that includes cherries and hops. There is a small general store and a yacht club called "The Omena Traverse Yacht Club". This area boasts several wineries featuring the best of the region's cherry and grape crop, which the Grand Traverse and Leelanau areas are especially known for. It is a very remote town. The nearest "big" city is Traverse City, a (25) minute drive away. Some of the controversial issues in Omena include the development of a large condominium building by the road between Omena and its slightly larger northern neighbor, Northport. In 1852, the Rev. Peter Daugherty relocated an Indian mission from Old Mission on the Old Mission Peninsula across the western arm of the Grand Traverse Bay to what was at first called "New Mission". He (built) a small Presbyterian church there as the nucleus of the community. Reportedly, worship services have been held in the church every Sunday since its dedication in 1858. Local tradition says the word "omena" was an Ojibwe Indian expression meaning "Is that so ?", or, "Is that really true?" and was reportedly Rev. Daugherty's characteristic response to statements made by Indians. An alternative possibility relates to the plentiful presence of apples and other fruit trees in the area. In Finnish, the word "omena" means "apple", though it is unclear whether Finns were among the early settlers there. In any case, a Post Office with that name was established in February 1858. It was a stop on the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad and was regarded as a summer resort area. Among others, Benjamin Grierson, a U.S. Civil War general had a summer home in Omena, as did (General Byron Cutcheon) The Harbor Bar (aka) was originally a gas station and garage owned by (John Putnam. ) Leelanau Wine Cellars purchased the property and converted a portion of the property to a state-of-the-art tasting room. The remaining upstairs is now a restaurant, "Knot Just A Bar". Across the street is the Tamarack (Art) Gallery, US Post Office, the (Putnam-Cloud Tower House) Museum and (home of Omena Historical Society) and the Omena Bay Country Store.