(Updated 6:36 p.m.)
Rolling Stone magazine defended its August cover featuring a photo of the Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev even as retailers, including the CVS and Walgreens drug store chains, have dropped the issue from their racks after a flood of complaints on social media.
In a statement Wednesday, Rolling Stone said: "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."
The magazine’s cover features a self-photo taken by Tsarnaev to promote a feature chronicling his life and events leading up to the April 15 killings marathon injuries. Critics say the photo glorifies the alleged teen killer.
CVS, which has multiple locations in metro Atlanta, is based in Rhode Island and has 7,000 stores nationwide. In a statement, the company said it has “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,” the company said.
CVS competitor Walgreens also is dropping the edition, tweeting: "Walgreens will not be selling this issue of Rolling Stone magazine."
Other retailers are bound to follow suit. A New England-based grocery chain, Tedeschi Foods, also is refusing to sell the magazine.
The New York Post said Rolling Stone is giving the bombing suspect "the cover boy treatment." Recent covers have featured singers Rihanna and Justin Bieber, and actor Johnny Depp.
What do you think about the retailers' decision to drop the August edition and Rolling Stone's explanation?
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