Police response beneath mounting criticism as Biden plans visit

The singer and songwriter introduced that he’s dropping out from performing on the Nationwide Rifle Association’s annual assembly this weekend in Houston, saying it would be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform 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 carry out Saturday night time during the NRA’s Grand Ole Night time of Freedom concert. However these plans modified when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary College in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on children within the worst mass capturing at an American faculty in practically a decade.

“In gentle of the current events in Texas, I have 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 certain all the oldsters planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these occasions as well. After all, we are all Americans.”

McLean is among a couple of performers who’ve announced they are going to now not carry out at this weekend’s conference. Country 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Gatlin mentioned he was also dropping out because of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms” in the USA.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned.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