What is the purpose of the equal protection clause of the constitution?

It prohibit state governments from taking actions and passing laws that treat similarly situated people in a dissimilar manner without adequate justification.

When is private action considered state action?

When the private actor:

(1) performs a function that is traditionally and exclusive state function

OR

(2) The state is substantially intertwined / involved in the private action.

What is an example of private action in which the government is not sufficiently intwined such that the action would be considered state action?

(1) Providing a liquor license to a racist organization is not considered a state action

(2) Providing police or fire protection is not a state action for this analysis