Police response underneath mounting criticism as Biden plans go to

The singer and songwriter introduced that he’s dropping out from performing at the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting this weekend in Houston, saying it will be “disrespectful and hurtful” to carry out days after 19 kids and two adults have been killed in a mass shooting in the state.

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 folk rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to carry out Saturday evening in the course of 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 School in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on children within the worst mass taking pictures at an American college in practically a decade.

“In light of the latest occasions in Texas, I've determined it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to carry out for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in a press release. “I’m certain all the oldsters planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as properly. After all, we are all Individuals.”

McLean is among just a few performers who’ve introduced they are going to no longer carry out at this weekend’s conference. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Stressed Heart additionally stated Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin mentioned he was also dropping out due to what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who're suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he stated.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 everybody. It’s that easy.”