On Saturday 12 July, members and supporters of Rock around the Blockade (RATB) held a lively demonstration outside the Camden branch of Lloyds TSB bank in north London, protesting at the bank’s recent capitulation to the US blockade of Cuba.

Lloyds TSB has written to its business customers who deal with Cuba telling them they can no longer use their accounts to trade with Cuba. The letter states ‘I must advise you to find alternative ways of making payments to your suppliers with Cuban connections.’

RATB is calling on the public to put pressure on Lloyds TSB until they state in writing that they will not discriminate against British companies who legitimately trade with Cuba. We oppose these bullying tactics against British companies who legitimately trade with Cuba and we stand in solidarity with the Cuban people, against attacks and attempts to isolate them.

About the US blockade
For almost 50 years the US has imposed an illegal blockade of Cuba. The Helms Burton Act, 1996, the latest addition to the blockade legislation, makes foreign companies who invest in Cuba liable to prosecution in the US. This followed legislation making it illegal under US law for US-owned subsidiaries in third countries to trade with Cuba. The US blockade of Cuba has been condemned by 16 consecutive votes in the United Nations General Assembly. In 2007, 184 countries (including Britain) voted against the US Blockade of Cuba and only four in favour, however the US overturned this vote with their veto on the Security Council.

Contact RATB more details of these actions and other events:
BM RATB, London WC1N 3XX 020 7837 1688  office@ratb.org.uk
and visit out website www.ratb.org.uk


Lloyds TSB customers and shareholders should write to:

Phil Markey
Relationships Manager, Lloyds Bank, 25 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7HN