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.
Pinconning is a city in Bay County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,386 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Bay City, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is locally noted for production of cheese products, especially Pinconning cheese. M-13 passes directly through Pinconning, and I-75 is only three miles from the heart of the city. Pinconning Area Schools has one high school (Pinconning Area High School), a middle school that shares a building with the high school, and three elementary schools. The school district covers a large portion of northern Bay County, including Pinconning, Linwood, Garfield, Mt. Forest, and Bentley, and part of eastern Gladwin County, including Estey and Rhodes. The Pinconning Spartans high school softball team won state championships in 1989, 1993, and 2000. The volleyball team won a state championship in 1992. The Pinconning Boys Varsity Bowling Team won the State Championship in 2008, with Chad Skinner qualifying second individually while leading Pinconning to a regional title. A weekly newspaper, The Pinconning Journal, is published, and can be mailed around the country.