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STANSTEAD, Quebec (AP) — For over a century, residents of Stanstead, Quebec, have enjoyed the unique experience of crossing into Derby Line, Vermont, to visit the Haskell Free Library and Opera House without needing a passport.
However, municipal and library representatives announced on Friday that U.S. authorities have decided to terminate this longstanding informal arrangement. This announcement has sparked emotional responses from communities on both sides of the border, amidst rising tensions between Canada and the United States, which are now symbolically displayed through mere flower pots.
In a poignant moment inside the library, recognized as a beacon of cross-border friendship, Pauline Lussier from Canada and Chris Blais from the U.S. stood together, arms around each other’s shoulders, with a clear line marked on the floor indicating the boundary. This was their first meeting.
“A line has never divided us,” stated Blais, who held an American flag, while Lussier displayed a Canadian flag.
“Our children have crossed the border with ease, and now everything is changing for no good reason,” Blais added, expressing her dismay at the new restrictions.
Historically, attendees have had the freedom to socialize across the library’s floor, marking the unofficial border, as long as they returned to their respective countries afterward. In a visit in 2016, former President Barack Obama acknowledged the library’s symbolic value, quoting a local resident who said, “We’re two different countries, but we’re like one big town.”
A representative from U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed that access to the library is about to undergo significant changes. In the coming days, only library card holders and staff will be permitted to enter via the main entrance from the U.S. side.
Starting October 1, Canadians will no longer be able to access the library directly from the U.S. without passing through a border checkpoint, with exceptions made for law enforcement, emergency services, postal workers, and individuals with disabilities.
The agency recognized the library’s status as a “unique landmark,” but justified the changes for security reasons, citing a rise in illicit activity along the border. According to their statement, CBP has allowed library patrons easy access for years; however, the situation has changed due to increased illegal crossings, including attempts to smuggle firearms.
To navigate the new restrictions, Canadian visitors without library cards will need to enter through a rear door on the Canadian side, which involves crossing a muddy patch of grass. In response to the anticipated construction of a new sidewalk, parking lot, and wheelchair access, the library has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds, estimated at around $100,000 Canadian (US$69,000).
Stanstead Mayor Jody Stone criticized the U.S. decision, stating it “makes no sense.” Nevertheless, he expressed confidence that the close relationship between the communities, which share resources and facilities, would endure despite the policy shift.
“This administration’s actions cannot diminish the partnership and lasting friendship between Stanstead and Derby Line,” he asserted.
At the border, residents gathered, some visibly upset, to express their disapproval of the new policy. Penny Thomas displayed a sign adorned with a maple leaf that proclaimed, “Keep Haskell open,” while standing on the American side.
In February, it was reported by the Boston Globe that U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited the library, echoing sentiments from the Trump administration about integrating Canada more closely with the U.S., which added to the tension regarding this community’s access.
As outlined on the library’s website, Canadians were previously allowed entry via the main door on the U.S. side without needing passports or visas, though officials had cautioned that U.S. Border Patrol and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police would monitor the situation and may request identification.
Source
www.yahoo.com