US blocks Canadian access to cross-border library, sparking outcry (www.theguardian.com)
from breakfastmtn@lemmy.ca to world@lemmy.world on 22 Mar 03:28
https://lemmy.ca/post/41065801

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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Madison420@lemmy.world on 22 Mar 03:38 next collapse

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.

ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.world on 22 Mar 04:03 next collapse

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 on 22 Mar 04:16 next collapse

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

lurch@sh.itjust.works on 22 Mar 05:09 collapse

Love me a good clown show 😆

tal@lemmy.today on 22 Mar 06:07 next collapse

In 2018 a Quebec man named Alexis Vlachos pleaded guilty in a Vermont court to charges relating to a plot to use the library to smuggle backpacks full of handguns into Canada on at least two occasions. He was later sentenced to 51 months in a US prison.

That seems like an unnecessarily-complicated plot to smuggle a small quantity of handguns into Canada.

I mean, yeah, in theory a vehicle could be randomly searched by Canadian customs, but, then hypothetically, they could have looked into the odd guy at the library (which, apparently, they did).

searches YouTube

Here’s a Canadian driving across the border into Canada:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjXIVYfwoXc

Guy drives up, answers a couple questions from Canadian customs, drives on.

A_norny_mousse@feddit.org on 22 Mar 07:48 next collapse

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.

couch1potato@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 22 Mar 08:11 next collapse

Canadians should install a new door on their side 😂

puppinstuff@lemmy.ca on 22 Mar 10:04 collapse

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

Cyclist@lemmy.world on 22 Mar 15:50 collapse

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

nkat2112@sh.itjust.works on 23 Mar 23:21 collapse

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.ee on 23 Mar 23:46 collapse

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.

quack@lemmy.zip on 22 Mar 10:07 next collapse

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

some_designer_dude@lemmy.world on 22 Mar 12:56 next collapse

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?

zymagoras777@lemm.ee on 22 Mar 14:12 next collapse

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

SpaceCowboy@lemmy.ca on 24 Mar 01:56 collapse

Probably will. But the library was built in the way it was as a symbol of peace and friendship between the US and Canada. I suppose the new entrance will symbolize the classlessness and pettiness of the US.

GrumpyDuckling@sh.itjust.works on 22 Mar 14:36 next collapse

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

CircaV@lemmy.ca on 22 Mar 14:45 next collapse

Time for my daily “Fuck the USA”

wide_eyed_stupid@lemmy.world on 22 Mar 15:27 next collapse

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 on 24 Mar 01:22 collapse

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.

nkat2112@sh.itjust.works on 23 Mar 23:17 next collapse

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.

gofundme.com/…/haskell-infrastructure-overhaul

obvs@lemmy.world on 23 Mar 23:30 next collapse

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

ChillPenguin@lemmy.world on 24 Mar 00:47 collapse

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

zipzoopaboop@lemmynsfw.com on 24 Mar 00:57 collapse

Stick around and help un fuck it, it’s just going to spread