The editors of Rolling Stone must have known they would get a reaction by putting Boston bombing suspect Dzhokar Tsarnaev on the cover, they received a similar outcry when they placed Charles Manson on the cover 43 years ago, but the level of criticism and retailer boycotts prompted them to issue a statement defending the cover, according to USA Today.
In response to the cover the magazine's Facebook page was covered with comments from readers who were outraged that the alleged killer would be featured on the cover. In a letter from Boston Mayor Tomas Menino he accused the magazine of giving Tsarnaev "celebrity treatment."
"It is ill-conceived, at best, and re-affirms a terrible message that destruction gains fame for killers and their 'causes,'" Menino wrote. "There may be valuable journalism behind your sensational treatment, though we can't know because almost all you released is the cover."
Janet Reitman's article, entitled "Jahar's World," was not released along with the cover. The story is said to use interviews from childhood friends, law enforcement and former teachers to try and examine how Tsarnaev went from being a promising student to a suspected terrorist, according to Fox News.
Multiple retail chains have announced that they will not sell the issue of Rolling Stones when it goes on sale Friday. Included in the boycott are Walgreens, CVS, Roche Bros. groceries and Cumberland Farms convenience stores.
"CVS/pharmacy has decided not to sell the current issue of Rolling Stone featuring a cover photo of the Boston Marathon bombing suspect," a statement from the company said. "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."
In the statement released by the magazine Rolling Stone explained that they felt the cover was appropriate given the subject matter, especially given that Tsarnaev doesn't look all that different than many of the magazine's readers.
"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 Dzhokar 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 EDITORS"
MBTA Transit Officer Dic Donohue was seriously wounded in a shootout with the Tsarnaev brothers. Donohue told CBS News that he thought the cover was a "sensationalized depiction" of Tsarnaev.
"I cannot and do not condone the cover of the magazine, which is thoughtless at best," Donohue said. "However, I appreciate our country's protection of free speech afforded to us by the Constitution. I am confident that our Boston Strong community will remain intrepid and unshaken by the cover of this magazine."
In his letter to Rolling Stone Menino said that if the magazine wanted to feature the tragedy they should have focused on the survivors and the first responders.
"The survivors of the Boston attacks deserve Rolling Stone cover stories, thought I no longer feel that Rolling Stone deserves them," Menino wrote.
