Violations of Civil Rights that weren't fought for? What events in American history would be considered violations of TODAY's civil rights?

A prime example would be the interenment of Japanese Americans during the Second World War. Then there were the infamous McCarthy hearings wherein citizens were persecuted and found their lives and careers destroyed for their beliefs. Next the redlining practices common nation wide in real estate with restrictive covenants against Negroes and Jews. I could spend the rest of the day on this question but others deserve a chance.

A great example would be the US government’s oppression of whistle blowers. The Obama administration has prosecuted more whistleblowers than any other government in that country’s history, yet the only protests are from small fringe groups. People could be on the streets demanding these people be set free for services to democracy, but they’re just not that interested in government transparency.

Another similar example would be the right to privacy. Minimal protests have slowed the renewal of provisions in the Patriot Act for NSA spying on US citizens, but since most people don’t seem to understand that the government can see your penis pictures, there’s little civil action about it.

Everything I can think of eventually started being addressed in some way or another. The latest is gay rights, more specifically gay marriage, which affects many things including, but not excluded to inheritance laws, rights during illness, property rights, rights as a parent, rights to stay in the country if you are a foreign citizen, and much more.

Right to privacy mentioned above is an interesting one. Where is our right to privacy stated in the constitution and is it being applied fairly to everyone? I don’t know all the answers to that.

Another thing worth looking at is that statement about folks who “should have fought for their rights but didn’t”. I can’t think of a single case of systemic injustice in this country that hasn’t been fought or resisted by those violated, starting with the one that got the ball rolling, the “Americans” living here when Europeans arrived. It isn’t the oppressed who fail in their own defense, it’s WE who fail in recognizing that if they can be slapped around, OUR turn will CERTAINLY come.

@stanleybmanly I agree with that last part. I don’t understand how people don’t see it.

The Internment of Japanese/Americans during WWII.
The rendition of prisoners to other countries for the purpose of torture during the Bush administration.
The McCarthy Inquisition.
The betrayal of Indian treaties by the US.
Segregation.

The guantanamo concentration camp. it is still open.

Lincoln took away many civil rights such as the right for habeas corpus during the Civil War and as far as I know, they were not protested. I think if you look at any war, you will find rights that were restricted. And after 9/11 there were massive restrictions in civil rights which were not protested for a long time. See the Patriot Act.

@filmfann The Indians did protest the betrayal of their treaties.

Immigration quotas and restrictions were not protested until very recently and there were laws and practices that targeted special ethnic groups such as 19th century laws in Califronia that Chinese men could not wear queues or own property.

“No Irish Need Apply” – job restrictions.

I think, as @stanleybmanly says, in most cases the oppressed did protest – it’s just that nobody was listening at the time.

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To broaden things out a bit, consider the following.

When people talk about civil rights, the Bill of Rights becomes the focal point of the discussion, which is appropriate. But what about the Preamble’s assertion about the “inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Don’t those rights also count as Civil Rights, at least as far as providing the bedrock for all rights, privileges & protections enjoyed by US citizens?

For a contemporary example, consider the state & federal civil asset forfeiture laws currently in use. Are they protective of civil rights, particularly of the 4th Amendment’s due process clause?

Miranda rights were established not so long ago. Many people took a lot of power tripping from cops for a long time before finally seeing that some restrictions were needed.
In regards to many injustices, resenting is not the same as taking action.
Voter rights have been denied to people for more than just gender or race. Many times people have been prevented from voting due to their poverty level, party affiliation, and other social groups to keep the interests of those particular groups from being represented.
Check into the expression, “Owe my life to the company store.”
Civil rights are infringed by government, sure, but also by big business, crime lords, and neighbors.

The Chinese Exclusion Act passed in 1882 was the only U.S. law ever to prevent immigration and naturalization on the basis of race.

Prohibition restricted life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all colors and creeds.

Truly a dark chapter in American history.