On Wednesday (July 1), a man and a woman were apprehended by police after climbing to the spire of the Empire State Building, a landmark in New York City, and unfurling a large banner.
The pair are well-known Russian high-altitude stunt performers, and the incident appears to have been a pre-planned "high-altitude proposal" performance.
According to foreign media outlets including Reuters and The New York Times (NYT), the man and woman, dressed in black, climbed to the top of the antenna of the approximately 450-meter-tall Empire State Building in Manhattan at around 12:00 p.m. that day and displayed a large banner.
The black banner featured the message in white capital letters: "When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace."
Afterward, the two descended to a platform below the antenna structure, where one of them knelt on one knee to propose to the other.
They hugged, kissed, checked the ring, and even took photos with a mobile phone.
Nikolau, who wore a headpiece reminiscent of Catwoman, filmed the climb and posted it on Instagram.
The individuals were identified as Angela Nikolau (33) and Vanya Beerkus (32), a Russian couple known for their high-altitude stunt artistry.
The two gained fame for "rooftopping"—the act of climbing tall buildings or structures—and were the subjects of the 2024 documentary film "Skywalkers: A Love Story."
The New York Police Department (NYPD) stated that they controlled the roads around the building immediately after the incident and took the pair into custody at around 1:00 p.m.
They are expected to be charged with offenses including trespassing.
It has not been confirmed how the two managed to climb the spire.
The Empire State Building was the world's tallest building when it was completed in 1931.
While general tourists can access observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors, the exterior spire area is restricted.
In a statement, the building's management described the incident as an "unauthorized, illegal stunt."
New York has strengthened security for major buildings since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.
Security has been particularly heightened recently ahead of major events, including the Independence Day celebrations on July 4.
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.