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.
Norman is a city in and the county seat of Cleveland County, Oklahoma, United States, and is part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. It is located in central Oklahoma, approximately 20 miles south of downtown Oklahoma City. As of 2009, Norman was estimated to have 106,957 full-time residents, making it the third-largest city in Oklahoma. It is the largest city in Cleveland County and is the county’s center for business and employment. In 2008, CNN/Money Magazine ranked Norman as the 6th best small city in the United States, the highest of any city in Oklahoma and the American Southwest. Founded during the Land Run of April 1889, and formally incorporated in 1891, the city’s economy is primarily based on higher education and related research industries. Norman is home to the University of Oklahoma, the largest university in the state with approximately 30,000 students enrolled.