Lee Greenwood pulls out of gun lobbying group-sponsored concert
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Country singer Lee Greenwood said he is pulling out of a concert organised by the gun lobbying group, National Rifle Association (NRA). His decision was taken after the uproar triggered by the massacre of school children at Uvalde, Texas.
Other artists like Don McLean, Larry Gatlin, Larry Stewart, T. Graham Brown, and Danielle Peck also withdrew from the concert that was scheduled to take place at the rally organised by NRA on May 27 as part of the NRA Convention, reported Variety.
The right-wing singer said he, as a father, is joining the rest of the country and is "absolutely heartbroken by the horrific event" that happened this week in Texas. He added that he and his band members have decided to cancel the appearance out of respect for those mourning the loss of innocent children and teachers in Uvalde.
The rally organised by the NRA features speeches from former President Donald Trump, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Abbot said he will be withdrawing from the event. Senator John Cornyn and Republican Dan Crenshaw are other Republican party figures who will skip the NRA Convention.
The Convention also includes a firearms law seminar and an exhibition spanning 14-acres with 800 participants featuring guns and gear.
The event has not been cancelled even though 19 children and two adults were killed in a mass shooting less than 300 miles from the venue. The Uvalde mass shooting is being called one of the deadliest and at least the tenth mass shootings in the US. It is also the 27th school shooting in the country this year.
Republican lawmakers have been criticised due to frequent mass shootings in the country. The NRA is also facing flak for holding the event despite the massacre and criticisms.