Terra Firma

Terra Firma is a human political party who opposes humanity's growing integration into the galactic community. The members believe humanity needs to stand alone if they are to remain strong. They cite Shanxi and the First Contact War as examples of why humans can't trust aliens, and mark Armistice Day with a protest every year. Part of their platform involves opposing the teaching of alien languages in schools.

Terra Firma was founded after contact was made with the turians, and humans became aware of just how many races comprised Citadel space. The party was created in response to a genuine concern that humanity's individuality might be diluted or lost after too much integration into alien cultures. The party's manifesto isn't particularly extremist, but they tend to be a magnet for xenophobes and radicals, and the party does nothing to curtail the racist comments of its members - they have freedom of speech, after all.

Commander Shepard can discuss Terra Firma's ideas with Ashley Williams aboard the Normandy. Ashley is uncomfortable around aliens but gets angry if Shepard compares her opinions to Terra Firma's: she calls them a bunch of jackals who have strayed from the founders' original ideals. At least her reasons are rational.

Shepard can also encounter a Terra Firma protest on the Citadel led by Charles Sarocino. (This forms part of the assignment Citadel: Our Own Worst Enemy.) He is trying to get a political seat and asks the commander for support for his cause. Shepard can debate Terra Firma's ideas with him, and the squad can also add their take. Ironically, when Sarocino says angrily that humans should increase military spending, to pre-empt any action by alien races with better resources, Wrex chuckles and tells him, "I like how you think."