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submitted 1 month ago by breakfastmtn@lemmy.ca to c/world@lemmy.world

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.

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[-] ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.world 70 points 1 month 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.

[-] jonne@infosec.pub 18 points 1 month ago

I'm sure there would be enough demand for that.

[-] lurch@sh.itjust.works 12 points 1 month ago

Love me a good clown show 😆

[-] A_norny_mousse@feddit.org 48 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month 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.world 42 points 1 month 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.

[-] wide_eyed_stupid@lemmy.world 39 points 1 month 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@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month 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.

[-] quack@lemmy.zip 26 points 1 month ago

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

[-] couch1potato@lemmy.dbzer0.com 26 points 1 month ago

Canadians should install a new door on their side 😂

[-] puppinstuff@lemmy.ca 13 points 1 month ago

It would be a lovely escape hatch for the Americans who have had enough.

[-] Cyclist@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

We're going to ban Americans from crossing into our side.

[-] nkat2112@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month 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

[-] some_designer_dude@lemmy.world 18 points 1 month 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?

[-] CircaV@lemmy.ca 11 points 1 month ago

Time for my daily “Fuck the USA”

[-] ChillPenguin@lemmy.world 10 points 1 month ago

I fuckin hate the US. I gotta get out of here.

[-] nkat2112@sh.itjust.works 7 points 1 month ago

So they reached their goal, yeah, but I still made a donation in honour/honor of Felon Drink Bleach, Couch Guyliner, Space Karen, and the rest of the Nazi circus.

You too can help and be a part of this wave. Small donations are totally fine.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/haskell-infrastructure-overhaul

[-] zymagoras777@lemm.ee 6 points 1 month ago

Why can't Canadians build another entrance from Canada side?

[-] GrumpyDuckling@sh.itjust.works 6 points 1 month ago

☠️ I hear there's another good way to access information without paying.

[-] obvs@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

Oh no! It looks like they have their 51st state!

this post was submitted on 22 Mar 2025
334 points (100.0% liked)

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