Episode 353: On April 23, 2018, a bright spring afternoon turned into a nightmare when a rented van plowed through pedestrians along Yonge Street in North York, a Toronto neighbourhood. In just minutes, 10 lives were tragically lost, and 16 others were injured; one of those later passed away from her injuries, bringing the death toll to 11. The community was left mourning, and the country grappled with questions of how and why such a senseless act could occur.  The man behind the wheel was 25-year-old Alec Minassian, a self-proclaimed member of the so-called "incel" community—short for "involuntary celibate." This online subculture, rooted in misogyny and resentment, has been linked to acts of violence, often targeting women. Minassian’s actions that day were not random; they were a calculated act of terror fueled by a toxic ideology that glorifies hatred and violence against those perceived as rejecting or oppressing men like him.  Sources:Backgrounder: Yonge Street Incident | Toronto.caAlek Minassian Case: Agreed Statement of Facts | PDFAlek Minasssian Trial | PDFAlek Minassian Interview | PDFDiverting Hate - Bi-Annual Report September 2023 | PDFVictim Impact Statements | PDF | Justice criminelle | Crime et violenceThe Incel Rebellion | PDFExhibit # 6 - Doc-Victim Impact Statement From R. FORSYTH | PDFCJEM-v1n1-Rozdilsky-Snowden.-Toronto-Van-AttackApril 24, 2018 episode transcript | CBC RadioTPSNews.ca | Stories | Witnesses Sought to Yonge-Finch InvestigationToronto van attack: Eyewitness accountsWitnesses say they are still struggling nearly 1 year since the deadly Toronto van attackAlek Minassian booked by police after Toronto van attack - YouTubeAlek Minassian confesses in police interview after Toronto van attack - YouTubeToronto police on Const. Ken Lam, officer who arrested van attack suspect - YouTubeHow this Toronto officer 'courageously' got the van attack suspect in custody without firing a shot | CBC NewsToronto van attack suspect says he was 'radicalized' online by 'incels'Incels.co - Involuntary Celibateincel lingo.pdf | Human SexualityIncels (v1.2) by Aleph | Human Sexual ActivityPolicybrief Violent Extremists IncelsOPV - Extremism and Hate Motivated Violence in Alberta - 2 | Extremism | ViolenceAlek Minassian admits to planning, carrying out van attack | Watch News Videos OnlineToronto van attack - WikipediaAlek Minassian admits to planning, carrying out Toronto van attack | Globalnews.caToronto van attacker sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years | Globalnews.caToronto van attacker sentenced to life in prison, no parole for 25 years2021 ONSC 1258 (CanLII) | R. v. Minassian | CanLIIWhy attackers use vehicles as weapons to kill innocent people in crowdsVehicle Ramming: The Evolution of a Terrorist Tactic Inside the USDemocratization of terrorism: an analysis of vehicle-based terrorist events by Ryan Scott HouserElliot Rodger meticulously planned Isla Vista rampage, report saysLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices