Civil rights are the personal liberties guaranteed to U.S. citizens and residents, including freedom of speech, press, and assembly; the right to vote; 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. Various jurisdictions have enacted statutes to prevent discrimination based on a person's race, sex, religion, age, physical limitation, national origin, and sexual orientation.