Police response below mounting criticism as Biden plans visit

The singer and songwriter announced that he’s dropping out from performing on the Nationwide Rifle Association’s annual assembly this weekend in Houston, saying it might be “disrespectful and hurtful” to carry out days after 19 youngsters and two adults have been killed in a mass shooting in the state.

McLean, who's best-known for his legendary 1971 folk rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to carry out Saturday evening during the NRA’s Grand Ole Evening of Freedom live performance. However those plans modified when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary College in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on children within the worst mass shooting at an American school in nearly a decade.

“In light of the current events in Texas, I have determined it could be disrespectful and hurtful for me to carry out for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in a statement. “I’m certain all the parents planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these events as effectively. In any case, we are all Individuals.”

McLean is among just a few performers who’ve introduced they will not carry out at this weekend’s conference. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Restless Coronary heart additionally stated Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the capturing at Robb Elementary Faculty.

Gatlin stated he was additionally dropping out on account of what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who are suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned. “I’m a 2nd Modification guy, however the 2nd modification should not apply to everybody. It’s that straightforward.”