Police response under mounting criticism as Biden plans visit

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

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 people rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday night throughout the NRA’s Grand Ole Night time of Freedom live performance. However those plans changed when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary College in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on youngsters in the worst mass capturing at an American faculty in practically a decade.

“In mild of the latest events in Texas, I've determined it will be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, said in a press release. “I’m certain all the folks planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these occasions as effectively. After all, we're all Individuals.”

McLean is amongst a number of performers who’ve announced they will now not carry out at this weekend’s convention. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Stressed Coronary heart additionally said Thursday that they had been dropping out in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary School.

Gatlin mentioned he was additionally dropping out because of what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who're suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned.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