The terms civil rights and civil liberties are sometimes used interchangeably. However, they refer to different approaches to freedoms and protections. Civil rights relate to legal provisions that stem from notions of equality and fairness. It is often thought that they stem from the the Bill of Rights; however, that is a misconception. Civil rights encompass legal protections. For example, the right to vote is a civil right.
A civil liberty, is different, pertaining to personal freedoms protected from government intrusion such as those listed in the Bill of Rights. For example, the First Amendment’s right to free speech is a civil liberty.
