Gov. Greg Abbott.Photo: Eric Thayer/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Texas Gov.Greg Abbottwill no longer attend theNational Rifle Association’s conventionin Houston — instead opting to return to Uvalde, the town where a gunman opened fire at an elementary school andkilled 19 children and two teachers.
Abbott, 64, had originally been scheduled to speak at the NRA event in person on Friday. He will instead share pre-taped remarks, a spokesman for the governor tells PEOPLE.
The Republican politician is set to meet with state and local officials, as well as town residents, while in Uvalde,NBC Newsreported. He is then scheduled to hold a news conference afterward.
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Texas Senator John Cornyn and Representative Dan Crenshaw were also scheduled to attend the NRA event, but dropped out from appearances due to scheduling conflicts they said were not related to Tuesday’s school shooting, perThe Texas Tribune.
Political figures who are still set to attend the event include former PresidentDonald Trump, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and Texas SenatorTed Cruz, among others.
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In a statement shared on his social media network, Trump, 75, said he will “deliver an important address to America” at the event. “America needs real solutions and real leadership in this moment, not politicians and partisanship,” he added, perUSAToday.
Cruz, 51, also said that he still plans to attend the NRA event. “I’m going to be there because what Democrats and the press try to do in the wake of every mass shooting is they try to demonize law-abiding gun owners, try to demonize the NRA,” hetoldCBS reporter Ken Molestina.
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Abbott’s decision to no longer attend the weekend-long NRA convention comes about asnumerous musicianswho were scheduled to make appearances at a concert event have canceled their performances.
Originally,Don McLean, Larry Gatlin, former Restless Heart lead singer Larry Stewart and Lee Greenwood were all scheduled to perform, but have since dropped out.
Representatives for Brown did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment to see if he will still be performing. A rep for Bryant confirmed on Thursday he will still be involved.
source: people.com
