Police response underneath mounting criticism as Biden plans visit

The singer and songwriter introduced that he’s dropping out from performing on the National Rifle Association’s annual assembly this weekend in Houston, saying it might be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 youngsters and two adults were killed in a mass taking pictures in the state.

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 folk rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday night throughout the NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom live performance. However those plans changed when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary College in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on children within the worst mass taking pictures at an American school in practically a decade.

“In light of the latest occasions in Texas, I've decided it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to carry out for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, said in an announcement. “I’m sure all the oldsters planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these events as nicely. In any case, we're all Americans.”

McLean is amongst a number of performers who’ve announced they are going to now not carry out at this weekend’s convention. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Restless Coronary heart additionally mentioned Thursday that they were dropping out in response to the taking pictures at Robb Elementary School.

Gatlin mentioned he was also dropping out as a result of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who are suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he stated.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