In each instance he had been condemned publicly, rebuffed by public officials for his racial viewpoint, yet nothing could be found to officially excoriate him or his extracurricular actions, and no punishment was ever forthcoming. His stated allegiance to the Klan was deemed to be within his First Amendment rights, and as long as it did not interfere with the performance of his official duties as a Lakewood firefighter, no action could be taken against him by city officials. In fact, he apparently had an exemplary record as a firefighter including, according to one report, giving
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