The Convention of the National Rifle Association (NRA for its acronym in English) is about to meet in Texas days after one of the worst mass shootings in recent US history occurred in that same state with a balance of 19 children and 2 teachers killed and 17 people injured.
Despite numerous demands to cancel the meeting in light of the tragedy, the event is scheduled to take place in Houston from Friday through Sunday.
Groups including the Harris County Democratic Party, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and the March For Our Lives plan to rally outside the convention hall on Friday, calling for gun reform in the wake of the massacre.
“Every speaker at the NRA event this weekend bears responsibility for the innocent lives lost to gun violence,” the Harris County Democratic Party said in a statement.
The NRA had the option to delay the convention, particularly as families prepare to bury those killed in the shooting, but “did not choose to do so,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said during a news conference Thursday. He noted however that the city does not have a “legal right” to cancel a convention. And that the city will provide security for those attending the meeting, he said.
Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak at the forum on Friday. Firearms, ammunition, knives, toy guns and other such items will be prohibited, according to a Secret Service advisory.
Country music singer Lee Greenwood said he will not perform at a National Rifle Association concert in Houston on Saturday. “As a father, I join the rest of America in being absolutely heartbroken by the horrific event that occurred this week in Texas,” Greenwood, who often shows up at Trump rallies, said in a statement. “I was scheduled to perform at the NRA private event on Saturday with my band. After careful consideration, we have decided to cancel the show out of respect for those who mourn the loss of those innocent children and teachers in Uvalde.”
Other artists, including Don McLean, Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart, also canceled their shows. “In light of recent events in Texas,” McLean said, “I have decided that 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 people planning to attend this event are also shocked and disgusted by these events. After all, we are all Americans.”
The NRA’s annual meeting usually draws up to 80,000 members.
Multiple protests are scheduled outside the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, where the NRA meeting is scheduled for this weekend.
