Police response underneath mounting criticism as Biden plans visit

The singer and songwriter announced that he’s dropping out from performing on the National Rifle Affiliation’s annual assembly this weekend in Houston, saying it would be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 children and two adults have been 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 carry out Saturday evening in the course of the NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom live performance. But those plans changed when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary College in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on youngsters within the worst mass shooting at an American school in almost a decade.

“In mild of the current occasions in Texas, I have decided it will be disrespectful and hurtful for me to carry out for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, said in a statement. “I’m sure all the oldsters planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these events as effectively. After all, we are all People.”

McLean is among just a few performers who’ve announced they may no longer perform at this weekend’s conference. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Restless Heart also said Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the capturing at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin said he was also dropping out as a consequence of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in america.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned.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, however the 2nd modification mustn't apply to everybody. It’s that simple.”