Al Pina, head of the Florida Minority Community Reinvestment Coalition, formally unveiled his plans to start a water-only hunger strike against Bank of America. It begins June 15.

Listen to the WMNF radio report on the announcement and the comments of Pina, his supporters as well as Mike Fields who, as head of Bank of America in Florida, argues his bank is an active provider of funds to minority neighborhoods.

"Well, we categorically deny that," Fields told WMNF. "We have delivered more than $35.7 billion in community development lending and investments in low-to-moderate income communities in Florida alone."

Pina says he will continue his hunger strike until Bank of America takes certain actions, including holding a meeting between FMCRC activists and Walter Massey, chairman of the Bank of America board of directors.

Pina's biggest concern? Minority jobs, and how to get more of them in these difficult times.

Massey (shown in AP photo) assumed the chairman's role recently, after BofA shareholders voted to take the position away from BofA CEO Ken Lewis and give it to Massey.

-- Robert Trigaux, Times Business Columnist