ESB Peace Protest
Masked Climbers Scale Empire State Building's Antenna, Unfurl Symbolic Pro-Peace Banner in Protest
Anonymous
Key Points
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The climbers reached the Empire State Building’s top, scaling the structure via its 1,454-foot antenna.
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The two climbers appear to be a man and a woman.
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A black flag with white lettering was visible from footage, in addition to the banner.
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As of around 12:04 p.m., the two remained at the top, holding onto the spire.
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Officials noted it was not immediately clear how the climbers managed to reach the top, with ascent methods not disclosed.
Two climbers scaled the 1,454-foot spire of the Empire State Building at noon on Wednesday, unfurling a black banner reading, "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace." The pair — a man and a woman dressed in dark clothing and masks — held their position on the metal lattice near the top until NYPD officers took them into custody around 12:45 p.m., WSB Radio reported.
No injuries were reported during the incident, according to Newsweek. The NYPD's Emergency Service Unit and a helicopter arrived on scene by 12:15 p.m. Both observation decks — on the 86th and 102nd floors — were cleared of visitors as a safety precaution, WBRZ noted.
Climbers Proposed Marriage Atop New York's Most Famous Spire
At roughly 12:30 p.m., the climbers began a slow descent down the antenna. Midway, they stopped. The male climber got down on one knee in what witnesses described as a marriage proposal. The two then embraced and took selfies before continuing down, the Associated Press reported.
The climbers were identified on social media as Angela Nikolau and Ivan "Vanya" Beerkus, world-known Russian rooftoppers and stars of the 2024 Netflix documentary *Skywalkers: A Love Story*. Police had not officially released their names as charges were still pending, according to Forbes.
Security Checkpoint Failure Leaves Officials with Questions
It is not clear how the two got past security to reach the spire. The antenna sits above the 102nd floor in a non-public area that houses high-voltage broadcast equipment. One security analyst told CBS New York: "How two people in masks and dark clothing reached the spire of the most famous building in the world at noon is a massive failure of internal checkpoint security."
Empire State Realty Trust, which manages the building, said it is "cooperating fully with the NYPD." A top-to-bottom review of security protocols is underway, according to internal sources. The building's management has not released a full statement, Forbes noted.
Trespassing Charges and Possible Federal Violations Loom
Both climbers were taken to the Midtown South Precinct for questioning after 1:00 p.m. They face Third-Degree Criminal Trespass, a Class B misdemeanor in New York. They could also face Reckless Endangerment charges under NY Penal Law § 120.20, a Class A misdemeanor that carries up to 364 days in jail, East Idaho News reported.
The Federal Aviation Administration could also get involved. Unauthorized presence on a broadcast tower can disrupt aviation safety signals, potentially triggering federal oversight. Mayor Zohran Mamdani said: "While we recognize the symbolic message of peace, New York City will not tolerate the trespassing or endangerment of our iconic landmarks."
A Long History of Renegade Climbs at the Empire State Building
This is not the first time someone has scaled the ESB without permission. In 1994, Alain Robert — known as "The French Spider-Man" — climbed the building with no safety gear, WSB Radio noted. In 2024, urban explorer Justin Casquejo also reached the top as part of a string of high-profile renegade climbs.
Wednesday's stunt drew polarized reactions online. Some users on Reddit called it "art in a time of conflict." Others said it was a dangerous, influencer-driven act that put first responders at risk. The NYPD said: "This was a reckless act that endangered not only the participants but our first responders."
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