US officials claim move was to curb drug trafficking while Quebec town says it ‘weakens collaboration’ among nations

The US has blocked Canadian access to a library straddling the Canada-US border, drawing criticism from a Quebec town where people have long enjoyed easy entry to the space.

The Haskell Free Library and Opera House is located between Stanstead, Quebec, and Derby Line, Vermont. It was built deliberately to straddle the frontier between the two countries – a symbol of cooperation and friendship between Canada and the US.

The library’s entrance is on the Vermont side. Previously, Canadian visitors were able to enter using the sidewalk and entrance on the American side but were encouraged to bring documentation, according to the library’s website.

Inside, a line of electrical tape demarcates the international boundary. About 60% of the building, including the books, is located in Canada. Upstairs, in the opera house, the audience sits in the US while the performers are in Canada.

MBFC
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  • WideEyedStupid@lemmy.worldEnglish
    39·
    4 days ago

    My god, it’s so petty, seriously.

    If I were Canada, I’d make a new door on the Canadian side and then I’d build a brick wall right at the demarcation line. Let the Americans have their 40% of the building, devoid of books and stage. They’ll have a bunch of chairs to sit in.

    Fucking enjoy.

    • bountygiver [any]@lemmy.mlEnglish
      7·
      2 days ago

      Ya if Canada don’t protect those books, America would destroy them soon anyways (with how much the current party hates libraries). This has to be the correct response.

  • ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.worldEnglish
    70·
    4 days ago

    Upstairs, in the opera house, the audience sits in the US while the performers are in Canada.

    Would be really funny if the Canadian performers started performing original plays that mocked the current US administration.

  • A_norny_mousse@feddit.orgEnglish
    48·
    4 days ago

    Petty.

    I have to admit, I’ve been waiting for reports like this.

    Eager small-time executioners that want to go the extra mile for the big guy.

    Trampling a small green shoot, on purpose.

  • Madison420@lemmy.worldEnglish
    42·
    4 days ago

    So bar us access to the Canadian side without a full border crossing procedures. Or pull a Israel and declare it a security buffer zone for Canada.

  • quack@lemmy.zipEnglish
    26·
    4 days ago

    Petty and small minded. Sums up Trump’s administration perfectly.

        • nkat2112@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          4·
          2 days ago

          Or we can be classy and accept our American brothers and sisters. (Moreover, that demographic might have empathy, be cultured, and well educated.)

          Besides, I personally wouldn’t want to fall into that negative cycle of anger that Felon Drink Bleach, Couch Guyliner, Space Karen would desire.

          EDIT: grammar

          • monarch@lemm.eeEnglish
            3·
            2 days ago

            Hey thank you. I’ve seen a lot of canadian saying the same thing about us that dear leader says about immigrants and its heartning to remember that not everyone falls into the trap of wrath.

  • some_designer_dude@lemmy.worldEnglish
    18·
    4 days ago

    If we aren’t allowed in anymore, maybe we turn our 60% of the library into a smouldering fire pit? Or maybe a park? Or a museum detailing the rise and fall of US-Canadian diplomacy?