Freedom First International

In 2009, Freedom First International (FFI) was formed by Gregg L. Greer as an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and conducts advocacy on human rights. FFI operates as an umbrella organization of affiliates. Originally formed as an affiliate of Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), FFI moved its direction to global human rights issues. Rather than seek individual members, it coordinates with the activities of local organizations. The main aim was to advance the cause of civil rights, human rights and Social Justice in America in relation to liberation from unjust economic, political, or social conditions. It has been described as “an interpretation of Christian faith through the poor’s suffering, their struggle and hope, and a critique of society as an example “Christianity through the eyes of the poor” From its inception, its mission is “to advance the cause of civil rights, human rights and social justice in America in relation to the liberation from unjust economic, political, or social conditions.”

Since its inception, FFI has sought to promote “social change” by “connecting thousands of people from all around the world [who believe] that faith-based leadership should play a major part in the lives of all.” FFI contends that people can best serve God by means of “praxis” (i.e., activity) that fosters societal transformation, rather than by necessarily embracing whatever theological or philosophical doctrines and dogmas may have currency among the intellectual elite.

Police brutality

FFI has protested numerous times against what it views as an epidemic of police violence in the United States. As early as 2015 FFI began to broaden its focus to include issues of economic inequality. Seeing poverty as the root of social inequality, in 2016 FFI began operations bring awareness to abuses of the black community boy economic boycotts of Government Institutions in an effort called The National Economic Boycott vs Organized Oppressive Tactics or NeBoot. For example, a small group of protesters demonstrated about police brutality at Chicago's Union Station on January 1, 2016. The idea was to bring about change as well as highlighting policy outside of the communities interest. In September 2016, FFI opposed a "Blue Lives Matter" ordinance, introduced by Chicago alderman Edward Burke, which sought to classify as “hate crimes” any attacks on the city's police officers or other first responders. “If we have a Blue Lives Matter”, said FFI, “then there must be a Black Lives Matter Ordinance” as well.

On multiple occasions, FFI organized protest outside of the Chicago Police headquarters, to fight against Chicago violence and how the community should respond even in times when the police were in error.

Trump and anti-immigration campaign

The day after Republican Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the U.S. presidential election of November 2016, Freedom First International along with others lead organized thousands of protesters marched through Chicago's downtown Loop and gathered outside Chicago's Trump Tower to express their disapproval of the election of Trump as the 45th president of the United States.

The same day FFI issued a political call-to-arms: “We cannot be idle. We must get into the streets immediately. We must unite and stand with immigrants, Muslims, women, LGBTQ people, poor and working people and Black Lives Matter. Only the people can defeat racism, bigotry, and hate!” Moreover, FFI joined with the ANSWER Coalition in organizing a number of massive, raucous, anti-Trump protests in Chicago.

Political corruption

When Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner took office immediately there was a budget impasse. Greer and FFI immediately organized groups to protest the governor’s budget proposals, which included deep cuts for social service agencies. From the beginning Greer had been a sharp critic of Rauner his team and due to what was perceived to have a negative effect on the poorer Illinois communities. When Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner canceled a Juneteenth celebration he was set to host at the DuSable Museum of African American History. Greer and FFI led protest along with other groups after facing criticism from leaders in the African-American community to host a Juneteenth celebration the governor pulled out. The main reason for the protest was that the holiday commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery. "It is unfortunate that special interests politicized what was supposed to be a celebratory event," a Rauner spokesperson said in an e-mail, "Out of an abundance of caution and respect for the safety of visitors and the museum, we have regretfully canceled the planned Juneteenth event at the DuSable Museum."

In Chicago, FFI and other activist investigated and pressured Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel to resign in question of the selfish and disturbing use of diverted City of Chicago funds. Also most directly due to the police shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, the city's subsequent attempts to withhold a video of the shooting, and the lack of an investigation into the matter which many activists held Mayor Emmanuel responsible.