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.
Linwood is a small unincorporated community just south of Lexington in Davidson County, North Carolina, United States. The area contains operations of several important companies in Davidson County, including Keply Hardwood, Legget-Platt, PPG Industries, and Kimberly Clark. Three major transportation systems serve the area: US Interstate 85, the Davidson County Airport, and Norfolk Southern Railway's Spencer classification yard. Linwood was named for the nearby plantation of William Rainey Holt (1798-1868), a physician and early innovator in farming techniques. Three sites in the National Register of Historic Places are located in the area: the Beallmont Building, the Jersey Baptist Church Cemetery, and the Jersey Settlement Meeting House. Part of the community (mainly the area industries) has been annexed by the city of Lexington. Public High Schools that have districts that are in Linwood are Central Davidson High School and West Davidson High School.