CVS, Walgreens Won’t Sell Rolling Stone’s Boston Bomber Cover (Updated)

Magazine faces backlash as critics complain that the alleged Boston Marathon bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, is given "rock star status" as RS's latest cover boy

Second update, 12:15 P.M.: Walgreens has told TheWrap that it "will not be selling this issue of Rolling Stone magazine."

Rolling Stone issued a statement regarding the controversy, saying it "falls within the traditions of journalism":

"Our hearts go out to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, and our thoughts are always with them and their families. The cover story we are publishing this week falls within the traditions of journalism and Rolling Stone's long-standing commitment to serious and thoughtful coverage of the most important political and cultural issues of our day. The fact that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is young, and in the same age group as many of our readers, makes it all the more important for us to examine the complexities of this issue and gain a more complete understanding of how a tragedy like this happens."

By the way, here's the actual story, "Jahar's World."

 

Update, 10:07 A.M.: CVS will not sell the August issue of "Rolling Stone" that features suspected Boston bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on the cover. A spokesman for the company told TheWrap: "as a company with deep roots and a strong presence in Boston, we believe this is the right decision out of respect for the victims of the attack and their loved ones."

Original post:

Readers are less than pleased with the rock-star treatment Rolling Stone has given the man accused of killing four and injuring hundreds more at the April 15 Boston Marathon. 

Using a photo from Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Twitter account — in which Tsarnaev stares lazily into the camera, with long, messy hair and several days of facial hair growth — the magazine's cover subject looks more like Jim Morrison than a young man who could face the death penalty.

Also read: Boston Marathon Bomb Suspect Reportedly 'Cocky, Nonchalant' While Pleading Not Guilty

"#BoycottRollingStone" is currently trending on Twitter in the Boston area (as is "#RollingStone" and "Boston Bomber").

"@RollingStone Which #teen sensation will grace your cover next?!" asked comedian Rob Delaney.

"Hey @RollingStone you could of honored any victim of the Bombing with your cover. But you chose a Terrorist #BoycottRollingStone," tweeted "BostonBachelor."

"I don't care if it's an "interesting" story. It's glorifying acts of terror. I'm from #Boston and this is disgusting. #BoycottRollingStone" tweeted Melissa Teixeira.

Surprisingly, the outcry has spread to groups that support Tsarnaev as well — mostly because they object to how the cover's text calls Tsarnaev "The Bomber" and "a monster."

Also read: Boston Marathon Bombing Movie in the Works With 'The Fighter' Writers

"This is honestly the worst article I've ever read. All speculation, forgetting he's a SUSPECT," tweeted "Dzokhar's Voice."

Though the profile, written by contributing editor Janet Reitman, promises to be a "deeply reported" examination of Tsarnaev, his life and what led him to do what he has been charged with doing, the story is being overshadowed by the cover that promotes it. 

Requests to Rolling Stone and Reitman for comment were not immediately returned.

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