Police response beneath 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 would be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 kids and two adults have been killed in a mass capturing within the state.

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

“In light of the latest events in Texas, I have decided it could be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, said in an announcement. “I’m sure all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as effectively. In any case, we're all People.”

McLean is amongst a few performers who’ve announced they will now not perform at this weekend’s conference. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Restless Heart also said 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Gatlin stated he was additionally dropping out as a result of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in america.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who are suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he stated.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