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Marjorie Taylor Greene? No thanks, says billboard funded by Frisco residents

Jesse Ringness purchased the digital advertising time in response to the Frisco Conservatives naming the congresswoman as the keynote speaker for a winter gala.

Update:
7:22 p.m. Nov. 19 with a statement from Hyatt Hotels.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., is coming to North Texas, and some residents aren’t happy about it.

Shortly after the Frisco Conservatives announced the Georgia Republican as the keynote speaker for the PAC’s annual winter gala Dec. 11, a Frisco resident purchased digital billboard minutes to let Greene know he isn’t welcoming her to his hometown.

Jesse Ringness — who operates a YouTube channel called Be the Change — paid for the advertisement that displays Greene’s face next to a note that reads: “Marjorie Taylor Greene, no thanks.” He signed it from “Frisco Voters.”

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“I had to remind [Frisco Conservatives] she does not represent Frisco family values,” Ringness wrote in a Facebook post about his recent purchase, which prompted more residents to donate money.

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Democrats have widely criticized Greene for sharing racist and anti-Semitic views and for a violent, conspiracy-laden rhetoric. Earlier this year, she was stripped of her committee assignments.

The digital billboard is located off U.S. Highway 75 near Central Expressway in McKinney and is visible from the southbound side at Wilmeth Road. Ringness said the billboard company Frisco uses does not allow “negative” or political messages and denied the advertisement.

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“People have generously donated to keep this billboard up longer and make sure it is seen more,” he said, adding that he is working on future billboards. “I don’t want to start a billboard war, but it is a message. It’s politely asking that Frisco residents are not included in this national context.”

Ringness said that he isn’t trying to “cancel” Greene, but that he believes the event should be held at a different location than the Hyatt Regency Frisco - Dallas, which was built under a public-private partnership that used taxpayer funds. He said he also emailed the hotel and its owner, Sam Moon Group, imploring them to reconsider the gala, and encouraged other residents to follow suit.

A consumer affairs spokesperson with Hyatt Hotels said the company has “pride in operating a highly inclusive environment.”

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“We believe that the facilitation of gatherings is a central element of what we do as a hospitality company,” the company wrote in a statement. “We believe in the right of individuals and organizations to peacefully express their views, independent of the degree to which the perspectives of those hosting meetings and events at our hotels align with ours. Our own values support a culture that is characterized by empathy, respect and diversity of opinions and backgrounds, and we strive to bring this to light through what we do and how we engage with those in our care.”

Frisco Conservatives responded to the billboard Friday afternoon in a Facebook post, thanking Be the Change for its “free publicity.”

“You just saved us thousands of dollars. Please order some more,” the post reads. “Fellow patriots, let’s turn out on Dec. 11 and give Marjorie the biggest Texas welcome she has ever received!”

What are they afraid of? This billboard ad just appeared on Central Expressway & Highway 380 in McKinney (paid for by Be...

Posted by Frisco Conservatives on Friday, November 19, 2021

A comment on the post suggests members should respond with ads about Beto O’Rourke, who announced his campaign for governor last week.

The event details for the Frisco Conservatives gala describe the congresswoman as having “changed Congress by forcing members to actually go on record and vote.

“Congresswoman Greene puts the people over the politicians every day in Congress by fighting for our America First values,” the description continues. “That’s why she’s the biggest threat to the Democrats’ Communist agenda.”

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Greene will receive the organization’s Conservative of the Year award, the group announced. The gala starts at 7 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency, 2615 Preston Road.

Republican commentator Dinesh D’Souza was paid $15,000 to speak at the group’s winter event last year at Stonebriar Country Club, according to campaign finance reports.