Civic Rights and Responsibilities

Civic Rights Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals freedom from infringement by governments, social organizations and private individuals, and which ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the society and state without discrimination or repression.

Civil rights include the ensuring of peoples' physical and mental integrity, life and safety; protection from discrimination on grounds such as race, gender, national origin, color, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or disability; and individual rights such as privacy, the freedoms of thought and conscience, speech and expression, religion, the press, assembly and movement.

Political rights include natural justice (procedural fairness) in law, such as the rights of the accused, including the right to a fair trial; due process; the right to seek redress or a legal remedy; and rights of participation in civil society and politics such as freedom of association, the right to assemble, the right to petition, the right of self-defense, and the right to vote.

Civic Responsibilities Civic Responsibility is defined as the "responsibility of a citizen" (Dictionary.com). It is comprised of actions and attitudes associated with democratic governance and social participation.

In the 18th and 19th centuries and through the 1930s, civic responsibility in America was tied to a commonwealth perspective. From voluntary fire departments to the public arts to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) of the 1930s and 1940s, citizens participated in projects that shaped communities and ultimately the nation. Due to civic responsibility, citizenship was understood in terms of the labors of ordinary people who created goods and undertook projects to benefit the public, as opposed to the high-minded, virtuous and leisure activities of gentlemen.

Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities

Rights• Freedom to express yourself.• Freedom to worship as you wish.• Right to a prompt, fair trial by jury.• Right to vote in elections for public

officials.• Right to apply for federal employment

requiring U.S. citizenship.• Right to run for elected office.• Freedom to pursue “life, liberty, and the

pursuit of happiness.”

Responsibilities• Support and defend the Constitution.• Stay informed of the issues affecting your

community.• Participate in the democratic process.• Respect and obey federal, state, and local laws.• Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of

others.• Participate in your local community.• Pay income and other taxes honestly, and on

time, to federal, state, and local authorities.• Serve on a jury when called upon.• Defend the country if the need should arise.