Let it be known, in case there was any doubt: They have everything.

Any shred of a notion that we have some degree of privacy in our phone communications, emails, social networks, instant-messaging accounts and address books is gone.

Our government is spying on us. And we have to fight back.

The series of revelations about NSA spying have validated what we could once brush aside as a dystopian nightmare. These aren’t conspiracy theories. This isn’t science fiction. This is really happening.

This Saturday’s Rally Against Mass Surveillance is about a lot of things. It’s about recognizing that our right to privacy is fundamental. It’s about protecting free speech for all people. It’s about bringing together people from across the political spectrum to protect basic human rights.

We’re rallying because we believe there is no freedom where there is fear. A complete and total surveillance state locks us down. It makes us afraid to speak. It drives us apart from each other instead of together. This is not the world we are working toward.

If you can’t be with us on Saturday in person, be with us in spirit. The rally will be streamed live on the StopWatching.Us website.

You’ll hear first-hand accounts from people like NSA whistleblower Thomas Drake. Public interest leaders like Free Press President and CEO Craig Aaron and Electronic Frontier Foundation Activism Director Rainey Reitman will talk about ways to fight back. Politicians like Rep. Justin Amash and former Rep. Dennis Kucinich will discuss how Congress can rein in the NSA’s surveillance programs. Musicians like YACHT’s Jona Bechtolt will discuss art and activism. We’ll also hear from internationally renowned security technologist Bruce Schneier, social critic and bestselling author Naomi Wolf, and many more.

And if you need a little help explaining to your friends and family why this is such a big deal, show them this video from the StopWatching.Us coalition. It features John Cusack, Phil Donahue, Daniel Ellsberg, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Oliver Stone and Wil Wheaton.

Let’s march. Let’s rally. Let’s do this.