Civil liberties are freedoms guaranteed to us by the Constitution to protect us from tyranny (think: our freedom of speech), while civil rights are the legal rights that protect individuals from discrimination (think: employment discrimination). You also have the right to vote and the right to privacy.

The overwhelming majority of court decisions that define American civil liberties are based on the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments added to the Constitution in 1791. Civil rights are also protected by the Fourteenth Amendment, which protects violation of rights and liberties by the state governments.

The First Amendment protects freedom of religion and freedom of speech and of the press. It also protects the right of peaceful assembly and to petition the government. The Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms, for the purpose of maintaining a militia.

Primary tabs. Civil liberties are rights guaranteed by the Constitution (primarily from the First Amendment). A violation of civil rights affords the injured party a right to legal action against the violator. For example, the freedom of religion is recognized as both a civil right and civil liberty.

Civil liberties are the guarantees that make us free. They belong to every person in the United States, and they cannot be taken away by the government without due process.

Civil rights are basic rights that every citizen has under the laws of the government. In the United States the civil rights of each individual citizen are protected by the Constitution. Civil rights include the right to free speech, privacy, religion, assembly, a fair trial, and freedom of thought.

Everyone has basic rights under the U.S. Constitution and civil rights laws.