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Toronto van attack: What is an 'incel'?

  • Published
    24 April 2018
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A photo of Alek Minassian on LinkedInImage source, Alek Minassian/LinkedIn
Image caption,

Police arrested Alek Minassian within half an hour of the attack

Mike Wendling
BBC Trending

Reports from Canada say the suspect in the Toronto van attack made a reference to "Incel Rebellion" on Facebook. But what exactly is an "incel"?

Alek Minassian, 25, appeared in court on Tuesday, a day after a rental van struck pedestrians in the city, killing 10 and injuring 15.

Facebook confirmed to the BBC that Minassian was the author of a post which read in part: "The Incel Rebellion has already begun! We will overthrow all the Chads and Stacys! All hail the Supreme Gentleman Elliot Rodger!" The post also contained a reference to the message board 4chan.

  • Toronto van attack: Who is the suspect?

  • Toronto van suspect charged with murder

Facebook confirmed that the screenshot of this post by Alek Minassian, which has been circulating widely on social media, is genuineImage source, Facebook

"Incel" is short for "involuntarily celibate" and in particular refers to online groups of men who feel that they can't enter into sexual relationships.

The attitudes of men who visit the boards vary widely, but online they frequently vent anger against sexually prolific men ("Chads") and women ("Stacys"). More generally, incel forums often include rants aimed at feminism and women.

In November, Reddit banned a section or subreddit of its site devoted to incels for hosting violent content.

On Tuesday, another subreddit dedicated to incels, r/Malecel, was banned.

However, other similar boards remain active on Reddit, and many other sites play host to incel discussions.

  • Reddit bans 'involuntarily celibate' community

  • Inside the world of 'pick-up artist' hate

A screenshot of a banned Reddit forumImage source, Reddit

Incel forums also - albeit sometimes ironically - include praise for Elliot Rodger, who killed six people in the rampage through Isla Vista, California in 2014 before turning the gun on himself.

Rodger left a rambling manifesto detailing his sexual frustration and his hatred of women and minorities.

Mourners leave candles and messages on Yonge Street after Monday's attackImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Mourners left candles and messages on Yonge Street in Toronto after Monday's attack

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More from Trending: The online activists pushing Syria conspiracy theories

Tweet - "New profile pic"Image source, Twitter/@sahouraxo

As the investigation continues into another alleged chemical attack in Syria, one group of influential online activists is busy spreading their version of events. READ NOW

You can follow BBC Trending on Twitter @BBCtrending, external, and find us on Facebook, external. All our stories are at bbc.com/trending.

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