Civil Rights Overview
Civil Rights Resources
Related Practice Areas
What are civil rights?
Civil rights provide basic freedoms to individuals and seek to achieve the equal enjoyment of rights and privileges. Civil rights manifest in various forms. One civil right is the entitlement to equal treatment, or equal protection of law, regardless of an individual's membership in a protected category. This civil right covers protection from discrimination on the basis of race, sex, national origin, age, and disability, among other things. Civil rights also include various personal freedoms, such as the right to privacy, to free speech, to vote, to partake in political action, and to peacefully protest. Additionally, civil rights encompass the right to receive due process and, for those suspected of a crime, to receive a fair investigation and trial.
Civil rights overlap with civil liberties. Civil liberties can, however, be distinguished from civil rights in that civil liberties largely encompass those rights which protect against the infringement by government upon personal freedoms, such as the right to religious freedom and the freedom of speech.
Show Extended SummaryFeatured Cases 
- Reisinger v. City of Wilkes Barre et al
Pennsylvania Middle District Court
Plaintiff
Filed: February 2, 2009
Plaintiff: Joseph R. Reisinger; Defendant: City of Wilkes Barre, Thomas Leighton, Frances Kratz, Gregory Barrouk, Michael Kermec and others...
Last Docket Report Change Found: April 21, 2009
(April 20, 2009) - SHARRATT v. MURTHA
Pennsylvania Western District Court
Plaintiff
Filed: September 25, 2008
Plaintiff: JUSTIN SHARRATT; Defendant: JOHN MURTHA
Last Docket Report Change Found: April 21, 2009
(April 20, 2009) - Smith v. National Basketball Association, Inc. et al
New York Southern District Court
None
Filed: September 10, 2008
Plaintiff: Annette Smith; Defendant: National Basketball Association, Inc., Bernard Tolbert
Last Docket Report Change Found: April 19, 2009
(April 18, 2009) - ProtectMarriage.com - Yes on 8, a Project of California Renewal et al v. Bowen et al
California Eastern District Court
Defendant
Filed: January 7, 2009
Plaintiff: ProtectMarriage.com - Yes on 8, a Project of California Renewal, National Organization for Marriage California - Yes on 8, Sponsored by National Organization for Marriage; Defendant: Debra Bowen, Edmund G. Brown, Jr., Dean C Logan, Department of Elections - City and County of San Francisco, Jan Scully and others...
Last Docket Report Change Found: April 18, 2009
(April 17, 2009) - Tagore v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Texas Southern District Court
Plaintiff
Filed: January 6, 2009
Plaintiff: Kawaljeet K. Tagore; Defendant: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Last Docket Report Change Found: April 17, 2009
(April 16, 2009)
Dockets 
- Stewart v. City of San Diego et al
California Southern District Court
Other Civil Rights
Filed: April 23, 2009
Plaintiff: Michael Stewart Defendant: City of San Diego, Pam Rowlett
(April 22, 2009) - Tuff v. Sullivan et al
New York Northern District Court
Voting
Filed: April 23, 2009
Plaintiff: Tiffany Tuff Defendant: Matthew Sullivan, John Doe 1, John Doe 2 & 3
(April 22, 2009) - J.d.J.M. et al v. Eric Holder et al
California Southern District Court
Other Civil Rights
Filed: April 23, 2009
Plaintiff: J.d.J.M., Jr., M.E.M, H.J.M. Defendant: Eric Holder, Janet Napolitano, John Morton, James T. Hayes, Jr., Robin Baker
(April 22, 2009) - Plaintiff v. Defendant
Louisiana Middle District Court
Employment
Filed: April 23, 2009
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(April 22, 2009) - Plaintiff v. Defendant
California Southern District Court
Employment
Filed: April 23, 2009
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(April 22, 2009)
Legislation 
- Bill Signed by President: H.R.1105 Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009
Making omnibus appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes.
March 11, 2009: Signed by President.
(March 9, 2009) - Bill Enacted: S.3712 A bill to make a technical correction in the Paul Wellstone and Pete ...
A bill to make a technical correction in the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.
December 24, 2008: Became Public Law No: 110-460.
(December 22, 2008) - Bill Enacted: H.R.2040 Civil Rights Act of 1964 Commemorative Coin Act
To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the semicentennial of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
December 02, 2008: Became Public Law No: 110-451.
(November 30, 2008) - Bill Signed by President: H.R.2095 Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007
To amend title 49, United States Code, to prevent railroad fatalities, injuries, and hazardous materials releases, to authorize the Federal Railroad Safety Administration, and for other purposes.
October 16, 2008: Signed by President.
(October 14, 2008) - Bill Signed by President: S.3477 Presidential Historical Records Preservation Act of 2008
A bill to amend title 44, United States Code, to authorize grants for Presidential Centers of Historical Excellence.
October 13, 2008: Signed by President.
(October 11, 2008)
Regulations 
- Proposed Rule - Regulations under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Proposed Rule
Regulations under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008,
9056-9071 [E9-4221]
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION 29 CFR Part 1635 RIN 3046-AA84 Regulations Under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 AGENCY: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (``EEOC'' or ``Commission'') is issuing a proposed rule that would implement Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (``GINA''). Congress enacted Title II of GINA to protect job applicants, current and... [read document]
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(March 1, 2009) - Proposed Rule - Government in the Sunshine Act Regulations
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Proposed Rule
Government in the Sunshine Act Regulations
,
7843-7844 [E9-3671]
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION 29 CFR Part 1612 Government in the Sunshine Act Regulations AGENCY: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). SUMMARY: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is proposing to revise the method of public announcement of agency meetings subject to the Government in the Sunshine Act. DATES: The agency must receive comments on or before April 21, 2009. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to Stephen... [read document]
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(February 19, 2009) - Rule - Privacy Act Regulations
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Rule
Privacy Act Regulations,
6831-6832 [E9-2816]
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION 29 CFR Part 1611 Privacy Act Regulations AGENCY: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is revising its regulations at 29 CFR Part 1611, which implement the Privacy Act of 1974, to exempt one of its systems of records from one of the Act's requirements. DATES: Effective Date: February 11, 2009. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas J. Schlageter, Assistant Legal Counsel, or... [read document]
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(February 10, 2009) - Rule - Change of Address for Headquarters and Washington Field Office
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Rule
Change of Address for Headquarters and Washington Field Office
,
3429-3430 [E9-1166]
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION 29 CFR Parts 1601, 1603, 1605, 1610, 1611, 1612, 1614, 1615, 1621 and 1626 RIN 3046-AA86 Change of Address for Headquarters and Washington Field Office AGENCY: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends existing EEOC regulations by changing two office addresses and one post office box. DATES: Effective Date: January 21, 2009. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas J. Schlageter, Assistant Legal Counsel,... [read document]
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(January 20, 2009) - Rule - Debt Collection
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Rule
Debt Collection,
49093-49098 [E8-19203]
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION 29 CFR Part 1650 Debt Collection AGENCY: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is revising its regulation on debt collection to reflect organizational changes, to update statutory and regulatory citations, and to clarify the procedures. DATES: This rule is effective August 20, 2008. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas J. Schlageter, Assistant Legal Counsel, at (202)... [read document]
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(August 19, 2008)
Government 
- Notice - Meetings
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Notice
Meetings
,
17667-17668 [E9-8748]
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Commission Meeting Agency Holding the Meeting: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Date and Time: Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Place: Commission Meeting Room on the First Floor of the EEOC Office Building, 131 ``M'' Street, NE., Washington, DC 20507. Status: The meeting will be open to the public. Matters to be Considered: Open Session: 1. Announcement of Notation Votes, and 2. Best Practices to Avoid Discrimination Against... [read document]
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(April 15, 2009) - Notice - Meetings; Sunshine Act
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Notice
Meetings; Sunshine Act,
12130 [E9-6370]
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Sunshine Act; Notice of Meeting Date and Time: Thursday, March 19, 2009, 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Place: Commission Meeting Room on the First Floor of the EEOC Office Building, 131 ``M'' Street, NE., Washington, DC 20507. Status: The meeting will be closed to the public. Matters To Be Considered Closed Session: Litigation Recommendation: Amicus Curiae Participation. Note: Any matter not discussed or concluded may be carried over to a later meeting. (In... [read document]
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(March 21, 2009) - Notice - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
Disability Employment Policy Office
Notice
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals,
11379-11380 [E9-5688]
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of Disability Employment Policy [OMB Number 1230-0003] Notice of Extension of Approved Data Collection SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation process to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44... [read document]
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(March 15, 2009) - Notice - Meetings; Sunshine Act
National Council on Disability
Notice
Meetings; Sunshine Act
,
9641-9642 [E9-4772]
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY Sunshine Act Meetings Type: Quarterly meeting. Dates and Times: March 30, 2009, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. March 31, 2009, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. April 1, 2009, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Location: Academy for Educational Development Conference Center, 1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. Status: March 30, 2009, 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.--Closed Executive Session. March 30, 2009, 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.--Open. March 31, 2009, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.--Open. April 1, 2009, 8:30 a.m.-1:00... [read document]
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(March 4, 2009) - Notice - Meetings; Sunshine Act
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Notice
Meetings; Sunshine Act
,
8940-8941 [E9-4369]
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Notice: Sunshine Meeting Federal Register Citation of Previous Announcement: 74 FR 7893, Friday, February 20, 2009. Previously Announced Time and Date of Meeting: Wednesday, February 25, 2009, 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Change in the Meeting: A Closed Session has been added, directly following the open session. Matters To Be Considered Closed Session Litigation Recommendation: Amicus Curiae Recommendation. Contact Person for More Information: Stephen... [read document]
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(February 26, 2009)
Articles 
- Human Dignity and Judicial Interpretation of Human Rights: A Reply
European Journal of International Law, Vol. 19, p. 931, 2008, Notre Dame Legal Studies Paper No. 09-14 Paolo Carozza Notre Dame Law School Date Posted: April 24, 2009 Last Revised: April 24, 2009
(April 23, 2009) - Rights Resurgence: The Impact of the ADA Amendments Act on Schools and Universities
Georgia State University Law Review, Forthcoming, Georgia State University College of Law, Legal Studies Research Paper No. 1393776 Wendy Fritzen Hensel Georgia State University - College of Law Date Posted: April 24, 2009 Last Revised: April 24, 2009
(April 23, 2009) - Introductory Note to the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social ...
International Legal Materials, Vol. 48, 2009 Tara J. Melish University of Notre Dame Law School Date Posted: April 23, 2009 Last Revised: April 23, 2009
(April 22, 2009) - Boumediene's Quiet Theory: Access to Courts and the Separation of Powers
Notre Dame Law Review, Vol. 84, 2009, American University, WCL Research Paper No. 2009-08 Stephen I. Vladeck American University Washington College of Law Date Posted: April 23, 2009 Last Revised: April 23, 2009
(April 22, 2009) - Personal Integration and Outsider Status as Factors in Law Student Well-Being
Washburn Law Journal, Vol. 47, No. 101, 2008, William & Mary Law School Research Paper No. 09-06 Susan Grover William & Mary Law School Date Posted: April 23, 2009 Last Revised: April 23, 2009
(April 22, 2009)
News 
- Obama taps Thomas Lamont, former U of Illinois trustee, for ...
Chicago Sun-Times, United States
Mayorkas led an office of 240 Assistant US Attorneys in the prosecution of cases in varied areas of law enforcement, including cases of public corruption, investment fraud, civil rights violations, high-tech and computer-related crime, organized crime, ...
(April 23, 2009)
HispanicBusiness.com
Latinos in the South often targets of abuse
Facing South, NC
based civil rights nonprofit surveyed hundreds of residents who detailed a striking degree of abuse, including "widespread hostility, discrimination and exploitation." Researchers said they found a "population under siege and living in fear" -- fear of ...
Low-Income Latino Immigrants in the South Often Targeted for Abuse ... PR Newswire (press release)
Report Finds Widespread Discrimination Against Latino Immigrants ... The Washington Independent
Report says low-income WRAL.com
Arkansas Newsall 255 news articles
(April 23, 2009)
Michigan Messenger
Dept. of Civil Rights: State's ban on HIV-positive inmates working ...
Michigan Messenger, Michigan
Jay Kaplan, staff attorney for the LGBT project of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, also shared concerns about the legality of the corrections department policy. But Marlan said the department is confident in its policy. ...
(April 23, 2009)- Equal pay advocate Ledbetter to keynote law dinner
Bizjournals.com, NC
In response, Congress subsequently passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which was signed into law this year by President Barack Obama. The law amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other anti-discrimination laws to clarify when discriminatory ...
(April 23, 2009)
Los Angeles Times
Jerry Brown calls Prop. 209 unconstitutional
San Francisco Chronicle, USA
Browne acknowledged the court's request for the attorney general's opinion in a pending case was unusual, but said she doesn't know how much weight it will carry. Civil rights attorney Eva Paterson, president of the Equal Justice Society, ...
Attorney General Challenges Anti-Bias Law in California New York Times
California Attorney General Says Anti-Affirmative Action Measure ... Chronicle of Higher Education (subscription)
all 40 news articles
(April 22, 2009)
Blog Posts 
- Ethics complaint filed against anti-marriage Iowa lawmaker who urged clerks to break the law
An ethics complaint has been filed against an Iowa legislator alleging that he violated his oath of office by urging county recorders to defy a court ruling legalizing gay marriage. The complaint also questions whether public money was used to...
(April 23, 2009) - To Investigate or Not? The Torture Debate Heats Up
Yesterday, the New York Times reported that Senate Democrats had joined Republicans and would oppose proposals for a Congressional investigation concerning the use of torture during the Bush administration. According to the New York Times article, President Obama also opposes the investigation, arguing that it would distract attention from his policy agenda. But Obama's opposition to the investigation is consistent with his general disagreement with the Left regarding punishment for Bush-era...
(April 23, 2009) - Absolute Madness: Federal Government Forced Bank of America to Buy Merrill Lynch
The Washington Post reports that former Secretary of Treasury Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke forced -- or pressured -- Bank of America to go through with a deal to purchase failing investment bank Merrill Lynch. Bank of America entered into an agreement to purchase Merrill in September 2008, and stockholders approved the transaction in December. But Merrill's value depreciated significantly before the transaction was completed, and Bank of America CEO Kenneth Lewis said he...
(April 23, 2009) - Trying to "Get" Hillary Clinton, Mona Charen Contradicts Her Statistics
Conservative writer Mona Charen tries to pull a "gotcha" on Hillary Clinton, saying that Clinton could not "defend" Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood who advocated abortion, in part, on racist grounds (i.e., it could prevent more undesirables from being born). Some conservatives believe that Sanger's bigotry delegitimizes abortion rights, apparently because: Sanger = abortion = racism. I have debunked a similar argument elsewhere: Pro-Life Race Card: Anti-Choice Activists Blow...
(April 23, 2009) - Help Wanted: Afghanistan, Many Civilian Jobs Available
Apparently, the job market is booming in Afghanistan, even if it is faltering in the United States. According to an Associated Press article, the government needs civilian workers to assist with "reconstruction and development issues." Here's a clip: [The government] said last month it would send several hundred citizens, from agronomists to economists, to work on reconstruction and development issues as part of the military's counterinsurgency campaign. That has proven to be difficult, and the...
(April 23, 2009)