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.
Greenbank is an unincorporated community on Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington, USA. It has a population around 250. It is the location of the Greenbank Farm, once the largest loganberry farm in the world, and the Greenbank store, which is owned and run by the Coupe family, descendants of Captain Thomas Coupe, founder of Coupeville. Opened in 1904 the Greenbank store now has a deli with good sandwiches and access to the post office through a side door in the store. The farm is the location of Whidbey Pies and a Sunday market. At the farm, there are several things to do. The fields, which used to be planted with loganberries, blackberries and red currants, now have trails and several alpacas. Behind the barns at the Greenbank farm is a small marsh with a viewing platform recently built by the Whidbey Audubon Society. Many species of birds can be observed here including Red Wing Black-Birds and Warblers. On highway 525, one mile south of the Greenbank farm, sits "Guest House Log Cottages", on twenty five beautiful forest acres with wildlife viewing pond with six luxury log cottages, just for two. Nearby on Bakken road is the Greenbank Trading Post which specializes in antiques and used tools. Located on the corner of Bakken and Day roads is Greenbank Cellars, a winery with a small vineyard and tasting shop in an old fashioned barn. The winery is also the location of a 100-year-old Nickelodeon which is in operating condition. It is served by State Route 525. Very few people stop in the area, as it is more of a passing-through area than a way-point along the highway. Prior to 1997, Classic Road, about 2 miles south of Greenbank, marked the northern reach of the Whidbey Telephone Company. Today Whidbey Telecom and Verizon Communications serve the entire Greenbank area. However, unlike most places on Whidbey Island, the residents of Greenbank have a choice between the two phone companies, or can elect to have both. The advantage of both is being able to call anywhere on Whidbey, and several places in Skagit County without being charged for a toll call.