Police response under mounting criticism as Biden plans visit

The singer and songwriter announced that he’s dropping out from performing on the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting 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's best-known for his legendary 1971 people rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday night through the NRA’s Grand Ole Evening of Freedom live performance. However these plans modified when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on kids within the worst mass taking pictures at an American school in practically a decade.

“In light of the current occasions in Texas, I have decided it could be disrespectful and hurtful for me to carry out for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, stated in a statement. “I’m certain all the parents planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these occasions as well. In any case, we are all Americans.”

McLean is amongst a number of performers who’ve introduced they may not carry out at this weekend’s convention. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Stressed Coronary heart also said Thursday that they had been dropping out in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary Faculty.

Gatlin mentioned he was also dropping out due to what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who are struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he stated.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