Police response below mounting criticism as Biden plans go to

The singer and songwriter introduced that he’s dropping out from performing at the Nationwide Rifle Association’s annual assembly this weekend in Houston, saying it will be “disrespectful and hurtful” to carry out days after 19 children and two adults had been 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 perform Saturday evening during the NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom live performance. But those plans modified when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on youngsters in the worst mass shooting at an American faculty in practically a decade.

“In mild of the recent occasions in Texas, I've determined it could 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 sure 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 few performers who’ve announced they will not carry out at this weekend’s conference. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Stressed Heart additionally said Thursday that they had been dropping out in response to the capturing at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin said he was also dropping out on account of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in america.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who're struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he stated.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 man, however the 2nd amendment should not apply to everybody. It’s that straightforward.”