Police response underneath mounting criticism as Biden plans visit

The singer and songwriter introduced that he’s dropping out from performing at the National 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 were killed in a mass shooting within the state.

McLean, who's best-known for his legendary 1971 people rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to carry out Saturday night time during the NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom concert. But those plans changed when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on youngsters within the worst mass shooting at an American school in almost a decade.

“In gentle of the current events in Texas, I've determined it might be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, stated in a press release. “I’m positive all the parents planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as nicely. In spite of everything, we are all People.”

McLean is amongst a number of performers who’ve introduced they are going to no longer perform at this weekend’s conference. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Restless Coronary heart additionally mentioned Thursday that they had been dropping out in response to the capturing at Robb Elementary School.

Gatlin stated he was additionally dropping out as a result of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms” in the USA.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who're suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned. “I’m a 2nd Amendment man, but the 2nd amendment should not apply to everyone. It’s that easy.”