Police response beneath 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 meeting this weekend in Houston, saying it could be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 kids 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 carry out Saturday evening throughout the NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom concert. However those plans modified when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on kids within the worst mass shooting at an American faculty in nearly a decade.

“In gentle of the latest occasions in Texas, I've decided it might be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in a statement. “I’m certain all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as effectively. In any case, we are all Individuals.”

McLean is among a few performers who’ve introduced they'll now not carry out at this weekend’s conference. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Restless Heart additionally said Thursday that they were dropping out in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary Faculty.

Gatlin said he was additionally dropping out as a result of what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms in AMERICA,” he said. “I’m a 2nd Amendment guy, but the 2nd amendment should not apply to everyone. It’s that simple.”