The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is taking its own steps to address today's soaring gasoline prices — a national boycott of the nation's five largest oil companies.

The boycott that began in May targeting Exxon Mobil Corp. has turned its attention for the next 30 days to Shell Oil Corp. Next up will be BP, Chevron Corp., and ConocoPhillips Co. during the coming months, as the boycott runs into mid-October.

SCLC hopes to pressure oil companies to forgo multi-billion dollar profits in favor of lowering prices.

Officials with the Atlanta-based organization consider record gas prices a human and civil rights issue that threatens to further divide the nation's haves and have-nots.

The Rev. Charles Steele, SCLC president, said it boils down to "greed."

"We understand the free market system," Steele said Monday. "We're saying it's a difference between making a profit and greed."

SCLC also is considering asking U.S. workers to voice their concern by staying off their jobs July 1-2.

Other boycott partners are Concerned Black Clergy of Metro Atlanta, the AFL-CIO, the Nation of Islam, Ghandi Foundation and the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials.