Police response beneath mounting criticism as Biden plans go to

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 would be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 youngsters and two adults had 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 perform Saturday night time during the NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom live performance. However these plans modified when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary College in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on children in the worst mass shooting at an American college in practically a decade.

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

McLean is amongst a couple of performers who’ve announced they are going to no longer carry out at this weekend’s conference. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Stressed Heart additionally stated Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the taking pictures at Robb Elementary School.

Gatlin stated he was additionally dropping out as a result of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who're suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms in AMERICA,” he stated.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