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 might be “disrespectful and hurtful” to carry out days after 19 youngsters and two adults have been killed in a mass taking pictures within the state.

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 people rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to carry out Saturday night time throughout the NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom concert. However those plans modified when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary College in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on youngsters in the worst mass taking pictures at an American college in nearly a decade.

“In gentle of the recent events in Texas, I've determined it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in an announcement. “I’m positive all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these occasions as well. After all, we're all People.”

McLean is amongst just a few performers who’ve announced they are going to now not perform at this weekend’s conference. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Stressed Coronary heart additionally said Thursday that they were dropping out in response to the capturing at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin stated he was additionally dropping out resulting from what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who're struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he stated. “I’m a 2nd Modification guy, however the 2nd modification should not apply to everyone. It’s that simple.”