American Pie singer Don McLean drops out of National Rifle Association Convention performance ‘in light’ of Texas school shooting that killed 21 people… but former President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott are still scheduled to appear
- McLean has dropped out of National Rifle Association Convention performance
- The American Pie singer-songwriter will no longer do the Houston, Texas show
- The show is put on by the gun pressure group, the NRA
- Lee Greenwood, Danielle Peck and Larry Gatlin are billed to perform
- This comes after the second deadliest school mass shooting in US history
- A total of 21 people were killed at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde
- McLean said it would be ‘disrespectful and hurtful’ to perform at the event
Don McLean has dropped out of his National Rifle Association Convention performance ‘in light’ of the second deadliest school mass shooting in US history.
The American Pie singer-songwriter will no longer do the Houston, Texas show put on by the gun rights advocacy group, the NRA – where Lee Greenwood, Danielle Peck and Larry Gatlin are billed to perform.
McLean said it would be ‘disrespectful and hurtful’ after 19 children and two teachers were shot dead at Robb Elementary School by an 18-year-old mass shooter in the Texas city of Uvalde.
Former US President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott are still scheduled to appear at the NRA event.
No thanks: Don McLean has dropped out of his National Rifle Association Convention performance ‘in light’ of the second deadliest school mass shooting in US history. Seen on May 12 in Nashville
The 76-year-old musician told TMZ: ‘In light of the recent events in Texas, I have decided it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week.
‘I’m sure all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as well. After all, we are all Americans.’
Don offered his ‘sorrow’ for the tragedy, which comes after numerous similar incidents across the United States.
Not for me: The American Pie singer-songwriter will no longer do the Houston, Texas show put on by the gun pressure group, the NRA – where Lee Greenwood, Danielle Peck and Larry Gatlin are billed to perform
Scene of the crime: The 76-year-old musician told TMZ: ‘In light of the recent events in Texas, I have decided it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week.’ Police seen outside Robb Elementary School on Wednesday
Crossed for the murdered: Crosses with the names of Tuesday’s shooting victims are placed outside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on Thursday
He added: ‘I share the sorrow for this terrible, cruel loss with the rest of the nation.’
Former President Donald Trump is still scheduled to address a leadership forum sponsored by the NRA’s lobbying arm this weekend.
The Apprentice star said on Wednesday that he will ‘deliver an important address to America.’
And he also got political over the Texas shooting after hinting he will run for President again.
‘America needs real solutions and real leadership in this moment, not politicians and partisanship,’ Trump posted on his social media network.
A sad time: He added: ‘I share the sorrow for this terrible, cruel loss with the rest of the nation.’ Seen in the 1960s
Trump is set to speak at the event on Friday.
People in the audience will not be allowed to carry guns.
The Secret Service will take control of the hall during Trump’s speech and will not permit guns or knives, according to the NRA.
‘Although an investigation is underway and facts are still emerging, we recognize this was the act of a lone, deranged criminal,’ the NRA said in a statement.
‘As we gather in Houston, we will reflect on these events, pray for the victims, recognize our patriotic members, and pledge to redouble our commitment to making our schools secure.’
The forum is scheduled to include Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Senator Ted Cruz and Republican Dan Crenshaw of Texas, North Carolina Lt. Governor Mark Robinson and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem.
But he still wants to attend: Former President Donald Trump is still scheduled to address a leadership forum sponsored by the NRA’s lobbying arm this weekend and he said on Wednesday that he will ‘deliver an important address to America.’ Seen on May 14 in Austin
Gun talk: The forum is scheduled to include Texas Governor Greg Abbott (pictured on Thursday in Uvalde), Senator Ted Cruz and Republican Dan Crenshaw of Texas, North Carolina Lt. Governor Mark Robinson and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem
Various celebrities have spoken out against the senseless violence, such as actor Matthew McConaughey – who hails from the town where the shooting took place.
The 52-year-old actor said: ‘As you all are aware there was another mass shooting today, this time in my home town of Uvalde, Texas.
‘Once again, we have tragically proven that we are failing to be responsible for the rights our freedoms grant us.
‘This is an epidemic we can control, and whichever side of the aisle we may stand on, we all know we can do better.’
Making a point: Kim Kardashian condemned the violence. She called into question the relevance of the keeping such a rigid reading of the US constitution as AR-15s – the military-grade weapon used in most of the deadliest school mass shootings, such as at Newton’s Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012 and Parkland’s Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018 – ‘didn’t even exist’
In addition, to the Academy Award winner, Kim Kardashian also condemned the violence.
The TV star called into question the relevance of the keeping such a rigid reading of the US constitution as AR-15s – the military-grade weapon used in most of the deadliest school mass shootings, such as at Newton’s Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012 and Parkland’s Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018 – ‘didn’t even exist.’
The 41-year-old reality television personality said: ‘Assault weapons didn’t even exist when the Second Amendment was written.
‘We have to stop allowing people to use a sentence written centuries ago when technology, times, humanity were completely different, to dictate how we regulate gun ownership, how we protect our kids today.’
Difficult to deal with it: Matthew McConaughey – who hails from the town where the shooting took place – said: ‘As you all are aware there was another mass shooting today, this time in my home town of Uvalde, Texas. Once again, we have tragically proven that we are failing to be responsible for the rights our freedoms grant us’
His message: ’We have to stop allowing people to use a sentence written centuries ago when technology, times, humanity were completely different, to dictate how we regulate gun ownership, how we protect our kids today,’ the actor shared