Rolling Stone Tsarnaev Cover Photo Sparks Boycott by CVS, Walgreens
Pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens have announced Wednesday that they will not be carrying the upcoming issue of Rolling Stone magazine in protest of its controversial cover that features Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the 19-year-old accused of killing three and injuring hundreds in the Boston Marathon bombings in April.
CVS Caremark, which is based in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, announced Wednesday via its Facebook page that it will not be carrying the current issue of Rolling Stone due to the company's "deep roots in New England."
"CVS/pharmacy has decided not to sell the current issue of Rolling Stone featuring a cover photo of the Boston Marathon bombing suspect," the second largest pharmacy chain in the country said in the statement. "As a company with deep roots in New England 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."
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The statement released by CVS has been liked on Facebook over 37,000 times and shared over 14,000 times by Wednesday afternoon.
Walgreens also tweeted on Wednesday: "Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Walgreens will not be selling this issue of Rolling Stone magazine."
Rolling Stone magazine has received a firestorm of criticism due to its decision to put Tsarnaev on its August 1, 2013 cover, accompanied by the tagline, "How A Popular, Promising Student Was Failed by His Family, Fell Into Radical Islam, and Became a Monster."
The article inside the issue reportedly draws from interviews with Tsarnaev's teachers, friends, and law enforcement, and according to CBS, the magazine claims the article delivers "a riveting and heartbreaking account of how a charming kid with a bright future became a monster."
Those upset with the magazine are not taking issue with the article itself as much as the photo of Tsarnaev gracing the cover, which some argue paints the suspected terrorist in a glamorized light.
"Hey @RollingStone you could have honored any victim of the Bombing with your cover. But you chose a Terrorist #BoycottRollingStone," tweeted one critic.
Some of those critical of the cover are quick to note the magazine's controversial 1970 cover photo of serial killer Charles Manson.
The magazine has sought to defend its choice in a statement released Wednesday.
"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," the statement said.
Those upset with the magazine's cover have called for a boycott of the magazine, which is slated to hit stands Friday.
Along with CVS and Walgreens, Tedeschi Food Shops, Shaw's Supermarkets and Roche Brothers supermarkets have also vowed to not carry the August issue of the magazine.
Tsarnaev has been accused of killing three and injuring over 260 when he allegedly, with the help of his deceased brother Tamerlan, set off two pressure cooker bombs near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 15.
Tsarnaev has pleaded "not guilty" to 30 federal charges, 17 of which could result in the death penalty.
