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.
Smallwood is a hamlet in Sullivan County, New York, United States. The population was 566 at the 2000 census. Smallwood is in the southeast part of the Town of Bethel. It is a hamlet within the town of Bethel, originally founded as the vacation community "Mountain Lakes," but later renamed after its founder A.N. Smallwood. Smallwood is known for its "vintage" style log cabins and camps constructed by Eastern European immigrants in the 1940s. It was originally "restricted" i.e. homes were available to white Christians only. This changed in the 1950s. Many of these seasonal cabins still have their original log siding and limestone fireplaces built by immigrant masons. Running water for most Smallwood homes is only available on a seasonal basis from April to October. Other homes which have been winterized have wells. Smallwood residents also have access to a brook, White Lake Brook, located in the center of the community, which has a beach, that was gated and privatized in the late 90's, limiting access for residents.