On Saturday, Febraury 26th, the East Harlem Repertory Theatre hosted a special showing of their play MANDELA. The performance honored Lew Zuchman and the 1961 Freedom Riders. In attendance  along with Lew Zuchman, was fellow Freedom Rider Bob Heller, and both were brought on stage at the end of the performance. The performance was attended by a very engaged crowd of SCAN-Harbor staff and program participants.

The performance of the play, which chronicles the life of Nelson Mandela and highlights the civil rights struggles faced by Black South Africans and Black Americans in the 1960s and beyond, was received well by SCAN-Harbor children and families in attendance.

At the conclusion of the performance, 1961 Freedom Riders were invited on stage. Bob Heller said the play was very moving, and that it “reminds us about the importance of standing up for what we believe in, even if that comes with personal sacrifice.”

Lew Zuchman commented on the fact that Nelson Mandela was a man of privilege who did not need to join the struggle, but did so anyway as it was the right thing to do. Zuchman compared Mandela’s actions to what is happening presently in the Ukraine where more privileged Ukrainians are fighting when instead they could easily leave the country amidst the turmoil that is engulfing their nation.

The performance was immensely enjoyed by the audience, and everyone left the theatre moved and inspired.