Police response under mounting criticism as Biden plans visit

The singer and songwriter announced that he’s dropping out from performing at the Nationwide Rifle Association’s annual assembly this weekend in Houston, saying it could be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 youngsters and two adults have been killed in a mass taking pictures within the state.

McLean, who's best-known for his legendary 1971 folk rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday evening during the NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom concert. But those plans changed when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on youngsters within the worst mass capturing at an American college in practically a decade.

“In gentle of the recent events in Texas, I have decided it could be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in a press release. “I’m certain all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as effectively. In spite of everything, we're all People.”

McLean is among a couple of performers who’ve introduced they'll no longer perform at this weekend’s conference. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Restless Heart additionally mentioned Thursday that they had been dropping out in response to the taking pictures at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin said he was also dropping out resulting from what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who're suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he said. “I’m a 2nd Amendment man, but the 2nd amendment shouldn't apply to everybody. It’s that straightforward.”