Police response underneath mounting criticism as Biden plans visit

The singer and songwriter announced that he’s dropping out from performing at the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting this weekend in Houston, saying it might be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 children and two adults have been killed in a mass capturing in the state.

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 people rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to carry out Saturday evening in the course of the NRA’s Grand Ole Evening of Freedom concert. But these plans changed when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on kids within the worst mass taking pictures at an American school in practically a decade.

“In gentle of the recent occasions in Texas, I have determined it will be disrespectful and hurtful for me to carry out for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in an announcement. “I’m sure all the parents planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as nicely. In any case, we're all Americans.”

McLean is amongst just a few performers who’ve introduced they'll no longer perform at this weekend’s conference. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Stressed Heart additionally mentioned Thursday that they were dropping out in response to the capturing at Robb Elementary School.

Gatlin stated he was additionally dropping out as a consequence of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he said. “I’m a 2nd Modification man, however the 2nd amendment shouldn't apply to everyone. It’s that straightforward.”