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.
Woonsocket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 43,224 at the 2000 census, making it the sixth largest city in the state. Woonsocket lies directly south of the Massachusetts border. The city is the corporate headquarters of CVS Caremark, a leading integrated pharmacy services provider. It is also home to Landmark Medical Center, St John the Baptist Union, the Museum of Work and Culture and the American-French Genealogical Society. Woonsocket's oldest radio station, WOON (originally WWON), signed on in 1946 & continues to provide local service to Woonsocket. Its former sister station WWON-FM is now hip-hop radio station WWKX 106.3 "Hot 106" is licensed to broadcast from Woonsocket. Radio Station WNRI, established in 1954, broadcasts 24 hours daily (albeit on a limited nighttime signal of 18 watts) from its Diamond Hill Road studios. Woonsocket is located at 42°0′6″N 71°30′26″W / 42.00167°N 71.50722°W / 42.00167; -71.50722 (42.001731, -71.507223). The city is located approximately 15 miles North of Providence. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.0 square miles (20.6 km²), of which, 7.7 square miles (20.0 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (3.14%) is water. Woonsocket is drained by the Blackstone River. Adjacent communities include: Blackstone, Bellingham, Cumberland, and North Smithfield.