Police response beneath mounting criticism as Biden plans visit

The singer and songwriter introduced that he’s dropping out from performing at the Nationwide Rifle Association’s annual meeting this weekend in Houston, saying it would be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform 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 folk rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday evening through the NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom live performance. However those plans changed when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary College in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on children within the worst mass capturing at an American college in nearly a decade.

“In gentle of the latest occasions in Texas, I have determined it could be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, said in an announcement. “I’m certain all the parents planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these occasions as properly. After all, we're all People.”

McLean is among a number of performers who’ve introduced they are going to now not perform at this weekend’s convention. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Restless Coronary heart additionally stated Thursday that they had been dropping out in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary School.

Gatlin stated he was also dropping out attributable to what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in america.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he stated.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