Police response underneath 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 assembly this weekend in Houston, saying it could be “disrespectful and hurtful” to carry out days after 19 kids and two adults were killed in a mass shooting in the state.

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 folks rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to carry out Saturday evening in the course of the NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom concert. However those plans modified when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary College in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on youngsters in the worst mass shooting at an American faculty in almost a decade.

“In light of the current events in Texas, I've decided it will be disrespectful and hurtful for me to carry out for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in a statement. “I’m positive all the folks planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these occasions as nicely. In spite of everything, we're all Americans.”

McLean is amongst a couple of performers who’ve introduced they will now not perform at this weekend’s convention. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Stressed Coronary heart additionally mentioned Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the taking pictures at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin mentioned he was additionally dropping out as a consequence of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in the USA.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who are struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms in AMERICA,” he stated. “I’m a 2nd Modification man, but the 2nd amendment shouldn't apply to everybody. It’s that simple.”