Around New England

Sweden Soccer Team Gets Plug During Legislative Hearing in Massachusetts

June 23, 2021

A witness speaking before a Massachusetts legislative committee sent a message of support for Sweden in the European Championship soccer tournament Wednesday afternoon.

Sweden was holding onto a 2-1 lead against Poland in the third and final game of group stage play when Kristian Lundberg, a researcher at a pro-youth-engagement center at Tufts University, appeared during an online hearing of the Joint Committee on Election Laws of the Massachusetts Legislature.

Lundberg wore a sportcoat over a yellow shirt with a blue collar, similar to the home jersey of Sweden’s national soccer team.

Lundberg, who works for the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, spoke in favor of proposed bills that would allow 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds in Massachusetts to vote in local government elections.

Many young people don’t think anyone will listen to them, he told state legislators on Wednesday, June 23.

“Young people deserve to know their voice matters, but 18 is too late to receive that message,” Lundberg said.

While Poland scored late to tie, Sweden scored again in injury time to win the game, 3-2, and thereby win Group E and qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament.