US blocking Canadian access to historical library on Quebec-Vermont border
Stanstead, a border town in Quebec, and the Haskell Free Library and Opera House, both said in a joint statement late on Thursday that the United States had “made the unilateral decision to close the main Canadian access” to the building.
They said that “this closure … weakens the spirit of cross-border collaboration that defines this iconic location” and “enables Canadian visitors’ access to a historic symbol of cooperation and harmony between the two countries.”
Additionally, in order to meet new restrictions, it requires significant infrastructure adjustments.
On Friday, Al Jazeera requested comment from US Customs and Border Protection, but the agency did not respond right away.
Trump’s repeated threats to annex his country’s northern neighbor, as well as the imposition of steep tariffs on Canadian goods, are raising tensions between the US and Canada.
It is troubling and, if true, an escalation in Trump’s rhetoric against our neighbor and ally. The reports of Trump closing off Canadians’ access to the Haskell Free Library & Opera House are troubling.
Vermont is a fan of Canada. Our two countries’ joint cultural heritage is celebrated in this shared cultural institution. …
In a post on X, US Senator Peter Welch of Vermont wrote, “Reports of Trump closing off Canadians’ access to the Haskell Free Library & Opera House are troubling, and if true, an escalation in his rhetoric against our neighbor & ally.”
“Vermont adores Canada. Our two countries’ joint cultural heritage is celebrated in this shared cultural institution.
The Haskell Free Library was purposefully constructed in both the US and Canada as a show of solidarity between residents of the then-porous border region after it opened in 1905, one year after the Opera House.
A line of black tape runs across the library’s main entrance hall and children’s reading room to define the boundary, which separates the building and separates the building.
Canadians have been able to cross the border and enter the building’s main entrance, which is located on the US side of the border, before making their way to the front door.
Although visitors are advised to expect their movements to be monitored and have identification, passports are not required.
US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem visited the library late in January in response to Trump’s threats against it.
Noem stood on the US side and said “USA number 1” during a tour of the building, according to Deborah Bishop, Haskell’s executive director, according to CTV News in Canada.
In response to Trump’s ongoing efforts to make Canada a US state, she “overcame the line” and said, “The 51st state.”
She repeated this three times. No mention of Canada was made, Bishop told CTV, adding that the comments were not well received by patrons of the library.
She should have responded to our greeting with courtesy and respect, and I believe she should. She visited Canada. You are technically in Canada when you cross that line, to put it another way. Therefore, treat the Canadian audience with respect.
Prime Minister Mark Carney called the idea “crazy” last week, and Canadian leaders have since refrained from supporting Trump’s plan to annex the nation.
Source: Aljazeera
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