Berkeley cuts lifeline of tree-top protesters

University of California, Berkeley officials ratcheted up the pressure on a band of tree-sitters on Tuesday, sending in teams to cut supply lines and dismantle some living structures.

The action, which sliced some ropes that carry food, water and demonstrators into the trees, came on the eve of a ruling on lawsuits challenging campus plans for a new sports center. The plan would mean cutting down the oak grove where protesters have been perching for months.

Campus officials said they won't try to yank protesters out of the trees, but made it clear they've run out of patience. The protests began in December 2006.