> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://interhacktives.mymagic.page/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# It all started on social media: #UKUncut
- URL: https://interhacktives.mymagic.page/it-all-started-on-social-media-ukuncut/
- Published: 2011-12-29T16:55:21.000Z
- Updated: 2011-12-29T16:55:21.000Z
- Author: Rebecca Ratcliffe
- Tags: Audience & Social, Facebook, Fortnum and Masons, social media, Twitter, UKUncut, #Migrated-1793717950415, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-11-03 14:59

March 2011 was the month that [UK Uncut](http://www.ukuncut.org.uk/?ref=interhacktives.mymagic.page) hit the headlines. Born out of the hashtag #UK Uncut which began circulating after George Osborne’s spending review in October 2010, Uk Uncut describes itself as a grassroots movement taking action to highlight [alternatives to the government's spending cuts](http://www.ukuncut.org.uk/about/cuts?ref=interhacktives.mymagic.page).

It was on 26th March - when Uk Uncut [occupied the luxury department store Fortnum & Mason’s](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12871359?ref=interhacktives.mymagic.page) in response to its parent company’s alleged tax avoidance - that the protest group was transformed into a household name.

The occupation of 'the Queen's grocers', which is owned by Whittington Investments, a company UK Uncut believe to have [dodged of over £40 million](http://www.ukuncut.org.uk/blog/press-release-uk-uncut-occupy-tax-dodgers-fortnum-and-mason?ref=interhacktives.mymagic.page), cost the 300-year-old store £54,581 worth of business and received prominent coverage in mainstream media.

UK Uncut protestors were later[ found guilty of aggravated trespass ](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/8896852/Judge-praises-Fortnum-and-Mason-protesters-for-common-sense-of-decency.html?ref=interhacktives.mymagic.page)when they appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court in November. However, in sentencing all involved to conditional discharges, District Judge Michael Snow expressed sympathy with their actions - telling them they were united by a “common sense of decency” and adding, “history often vindicates those involved in such acts”.

[UK Uncut’s Facebook page](http://www.facebook.com/ukuncut) is now liked by 33,936, while the 37,576 people are following its central [twitter account](http://twitter.com/?ref=interhacktives.mymagic.page#!/UKuncut). The group's website also hosts videos of past successes, a map of "tax dodgers and banks near Oxford Street", and an option to make your own placard, by downloading their logo.

\[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD-zcG9DjEA\]