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.
Athens is a city in, and the county seat of, Athens County, Ohio, United States. A historic college town in the southeastern part of the state, Athens is home to Ohio University and is the principal city of the Athens, Ohio Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 21,342 in the 2000 census; it was estimated to be 21,909 in 2007. Athens is a qualified Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation.