Police response under mounting criticism as Biden plans go to

The singer and songwriter announced that he’s dropping out from performing at the National Rifle Affiliation’s annual meeting this weekend in Houston, saying it will be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 kids and two adults have been killed in a mass shooting in 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 time of Freedom concert. However those plans changed when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on kids in the worst mass taking pictures at an American school in practically a decade.

“In light of the current occasions in Texas, I have determined it might be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in a statement. “I’m certain all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these occasions as nicely. In spite of everything, we're all People.”

McLean is amongst just a few performers who’ve announced they may now not perform at this weekend’s convention. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Restless Heart also said Thursday that they had been dropping out in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary Faculty.

Gatlin stated he was additionally dropping out due to what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in the US.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who're struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he stated. “I’m a 2nd Modification guy, but the 2nd modification shouldn't apply to everybody. It’s that easy.”