Donohue Doesn't 'Condone' Rolling Stone Cover Featuring Alleged Marathon Bomber

By Mark Ouellette

After learning that Rolling Stone's August edition features alleged Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, Woburn resident and injured MBTA Transit Police Officer Richard "Dic" Donohue Jr. says he "(doesn't) condone the cover of the magazine," according to a press statement posted on the transit police blog on Wednesday.

Donohue, 33, of Woburn, was shot in the leg during a shoot-out with the marathon bombing suspects in Watertown in April. In the statement, Donohue discusses why he objects to the cover of the magazine.

"The City of Boston and the surrounding communities have faced many challenges since the bombings at the marathon finish line. The new cover of Rolling Stone has garnered much attention due to its sensationalized depiction of one of the alleged bombers," Donohue said. "My family and I were personally affected by these individuals’ actions. I cannot and do not condone the cover of the magazine, which is thoughtless at best. 

"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."

Several Businesses Say No to Selling Rolling Stone's August Edition

Donohue wasn't the only one opposed to Rolling Stone's decision to run with the alleged marathon bomber on the cover, as several businesses also announced on Wednesday that they won't be selling the August edition of the magazine. Some of the businesses that have opted against selling the magazine include CVS, which has Woburn locations at 415 Main St. and the Woburn Mall, Roche Bros., Walgreens and Tedeschi Food Shops, Inc.

"CVS/pharmacy has decided not to sell the current issue of Rolling Stone featuring a cover photo of the Boston Marathon bombing suspect," reads a message posted on the company's Facebook page. "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 Reacts to Criticism 

In a press statement posted Wednesday afternoon on their Facebook page, Rolling Stone's editors 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 andRolling 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."

If you could choose a Boston Marathon bombing-related cover for Rolling Stone's August edition, what specifically would you want to see prominently featured on it? Let us know by posting a comment in the comments section below.