Local Businesses Not Selling Rolling Stone with Alleged Bomber on Cover

By Susan Manning

Stirring controversy on Facebook and other online outlets, Rolling Stone magazine's cover on the edition which releases Friday, is a photo of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

Two places you won't find the issue is CVS, including both Chelmsford locations, nor at Tedeschi's at 210 Boston Rd., nor at the Walgreen's at 86 Chelmsford St.

The Rhode Island-based drug store chain CVS posted on its Facebook page Wednesday why it won't be on its shelves:

"CVS/pharmacy has decided not to sell the current issue of Rolling Stone featuring a cover photo of the Boston Marathon bombing suspect. 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."

Rolling Stone released a statement Wednesday about the forthcoming issue.

"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."

According to USA Today, Rolling Stone editors say the reaction they are receiving is much like what they received when Charles Manson was on its cover 40 years ago. That edition turned out to be one of the magazine's best-selling issues and won a national award.

Do you think the issue should be sold in stores or did the magazine take it too far? Tell us in the comments.