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.
Scandia is a city in Washington County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 3,692 at the 2000 census. Scandia is located 25 miles northeast of Saint Paul, Minnesota, and is part of the Twin Cities Metro Area. Scandia became a city on January 1, 2007, due to worries about being annexed by the city of Forest Lake, after many years as New Scandia Township. The city is serviced by a weekly newspaper, the Country Messenger, and, as evidenced by the town's name, has a rich Swedish heritage. Gammelgarden Museum, located in the city's Johnson Park, "since 1972 has preserved, presented, and promoted Swedish immigrant heritage and history", with events such as "Midsommarafton" and "Dalapalooza" --a reference to the Dalecarlian horses the city has erected to welcome visitors, similar to Saint Paul, Minnesota's use of the Peanuts characters. The city has an elementary school, an ice rink, a community center, and a small business park.