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.
River Falls is a city in Pierce and St. Croix counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 12,560 at the 2000 census. The city is located mostly within the Town of River Falls in Pierce County; only a small portion lies within the Town of Kinnickinnic in St. Croix County. River Falls is located 25 miles southeast of downtown St. Paul, Minnesota and is part of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Metropolitan Statistical Area, along with the rest of Pierce and St. Croix Counties. The city is noted for being home to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.