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Haskell’s free library denounces the “unilateral” United States moves in the middle of the continuous threats of Donald Trump against Canada.
Montreal, Canada – The administration of the American president Donald Trump removes the main access point of Canada to A historic library which rides the border between the Canadian province of Quebec and the American state of Vermont.
In a joint press release Thursday, the Quebec border city in Stanstead and the free library and opera of Haskell said the United States had made the “unilateral decision to close the main Canadian access” to the building.
“This closure does not only compromise Canadian visitors to a historic symbol of cooperation and harmony between the two countries, but also weakens the spirit of cross-border collaboration which defines this emblematic location,” they said.
“In addition, it requires significant infrastructure adjustments to comply with new constraints.”
Customs and the protection of US borders did not immediately respond to the request for comments from Al Jazeera on Friday’s decision.
This decision comes in the middle of the arrow tensions between the United States and Canada for Trump’s rehearsals Threats to annex The neighbor of the north of his country, as well as the imposition of steep prices on Canadian products.
Trump closure reports closing Canadians access to the Haskell Free Library & Opera House are disturbing, and if it is a climbing in its rhetoric against our neighbor and ally.
Vermont loves Canada. This shared cultural institution celebrates a partnership between our two nations.…
– Senator Peter Welch (@senpeterwelch) March 21, 2025
“Trump’s closure reports closing Canadians’ access to the Haskell Free Library & Opera House are disturbing, and if it is true an escalation in his rhetoric against our neighbor and ally,” said American Senator Peter Welch du Vermont in an article on X.
“Vermont loves Canada. This shared cultural institution celebrates a partnership between our two nations. ”
The opening for the first time in 1905, a year after the Opera, the Free Haskell library was deliberately built in the United States and Canada in a demonstration of solidarity between residents of the border area of the time.
The border bisette The building and a black ribbon line crosses the main entrance hall of the library and the children’s reading room, delimiting the demarcation line.
The main entrance is on the American side of the border, and to enter the building, the Canadians were able to cross the border and head to the front door.
Passports are not necessary, but the library tells visitors to expect their movements to be monitored and transport identification.
In the midst of Trump’s threats to Canada in late January, US secretary for internal security Kristi calls made an unexpected visit to the library.
Deborah Bishop, Managing Director of Haskell, told CTV News from CTV News that Noem was standing on the American side and said “USA number 1” during a visit to the building.
“And then (she) crossed the line and said:” The 51st state “,” said Bishop, referring to Trump’s continuous pressure to make Canada in American condition.
“She did it three times. There was no mention of Canada, just” the 51st state “,” said Bishop to CTV, adding that the comments were badly received by the people of the library.
“We welcomed her with courtesy and respect, and I think she should have reacted in the same way. She was in Canada. I mean, when you cross this line, you are technically in Canada. So may be respectful to the people in the room who are Canadian. ”
Canadian leaders rejected Trump’s push to annex the country, with Prime Minister Mark Carney Last week, calling for the “crazy” idea.
Carney said he was ready to meet the Trump administration to discuss prices and other policies, but only if Canada’s sovereignty is respected.
