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Companies boycott Rolling Stone, won’t sell issue

Caitlin McClure Contributor
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Companies have turned the trending #boycottrollingstone hashtag into action, announcing publicly they will not be selling the August edition of Rolling Stone in their stores.

Outrage exploded over social media Tuesday night when Rolling Stone magazine released their next cover, featuring the Boston bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in a glorified, rock-star like manner.

New England-based convenience chain Tedeschi was the first to respond, posting their decision to not sell the current issue of Rolling Stone on Facebook.

“Tedeschi Food Shops supports the need to share the news with everyone, but cannot support actions that serve to glorify the evil actions of anyone… Music and terrorism don’t mix!”

CVS/ pharmacy followed suit only a few hours later, posting a statement on Facebook that they too would not sell the controversial issue.

“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,” the CVS statement read.

Walgreens Pharmacy and Rite Aid recently joined the boycott as well.

Followers have used the social media site to urge other companies to take action as well, including Walmart, Publix, Target, and Seven Eleven.

The editors responded to the backlash in a statement on their website, which was posted along with the text of the full story about the terrorist.

“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 statement read.

“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.”

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino sent a letter to Publisher Jann Wenner expressing his anger on behalf of the city of Boston.

“Your August 3 cover rewards a terrorist with celebrity treatment,” the letter read. “Put the focus where you could have: on the brave and strong survivors and on the thousands of people-their family and friends, volunteers, first responders, doctors, nurses, and donors- how have come to their side”

“The survivors of the Boston attacks deserve Rolling Stone cover stories, though I no longer feel the Rolling Stone deserves them.”

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