Civil rights generally refers to the law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or religion. Discrimination occurs when a person’s rights are denied or interfered with on the basis of their membership in such a particular group or class.

Civil rights are distinct from civil liberties, such as the right to vote, freedom of speech, and other rights in the Bill of Rights (first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution).

Civil rights law includes the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Twenty-Fourth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution—and federal statutes such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968.

In Minnesota, civil rights are protected under both federal and state laws. Federal laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968 prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. These laws apply to various areas including employment, education, housing, and access to public accommodations. Additionally, the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution provide protections against discrimination and ensure equal protection under the law. Minnesota state statutes complement these federal protections by addressing discrimination in areas such as employment (Minnesota Human Rights Act, Minn. Stat. § 363A.08), housing (Minn. Stat. § 363A.09), public accommodations (Minn. Stat. § 363A.11), and education (Minn. Stat. § 363A.13). The Minnesota Department of Human Rights is the state agency responsible for enforcing the state's civil rights laws. It is important for individuals in Minnesota to understand that while civil rights ensure protection against discrimination, civil liberties refer to personal freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, such as freedom of speech and the right to vote, which are also upheld by both federal and state laws.