No matter what you think about Fred Weber Inc.’s efforts to locate a trash-transfer facility in Oakville, you should attend a “Rally for Free Speech” at 7 p.m. today — June 10 — at the Holiday Inn on South Lindbergh Boulevard.

Whether you are for, against or impartial to Weber’s plan, your right to express yourself could be compromised by the effort.

Weber, you may remember, has sued Oakville resident Tom Diehl for speaking out against its plan to bring hundreds of large trucks to his neighborhood every day, besides those already driving up and down Old Baumgartner Road. Before being slapped with the lawsuit, Diehl spoke against Weber at every opportunity.

I was at those presentations and while Diehl was never seen distributing a flier that Weber said ruined the good name of its company, they sued him for $5 million, alleging he distributed the thing. Diehl does not speak at Fred Weber hearings anymore.

Crowds that used to number more than 1,500 people at Weber hearings now attract 1,200 attendees.

You may be tired tonight from a long day of work, tired from getting the kids supper and taking them to and from ball games, or wanting to watch your favorite show on television. But important things will be discussed at the rally.

What if one day you see the neighbors’ kids playing in the street and you call the parents to warn them of a threat to their safety? Could the parents sue you for $5 million because the complaint ruined the reputation of the kids’ lemonade stand? Once you give Weber the benefit of the doubt, such things could be possible, especially if those parents are in management at Weber.

Our nation just dedicated a memorial to the veterans who fought and died during World War II.

For weeks we’ve watched feel-good stories about the sacrifices made by that generation for truth, justice and the American way.

While those stories need to be told, the need to protect our freedoms and the democracy we were all raised to believe in didn’t end when World War II ended. No war ever removes the need to be vigilant in protecting our rights as American citizens. It is a constant, ongoing struggle.

No matter what side of the Weber debate you fall on, as a citizen of this country, it’s your duty to protect free speech for all of the people, all of the time.