Couple climbs Empire State Building, unfurls banner, sparks engagement rumors
Two climbers scaled the Empire State Building’s spire, unfurled a peace banner and were taken into custody after an apparent proposal drew viral attention.
Two people climbed the Empire State Building on Wednesday afternoon, unfurled a banner from its spire and were taken into police custody after descending. No injuries were reported, and the observation deck was cleared before reopening later that afternoon.
Helicopter video showed the pair on the spire, more than 1,400 feet above Manhattan, holding a banner that read, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.” ABC News said the top of the spire is 1,454 feet above the ground. The climbers were identified as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, and the scene quickly spread across social media as onlookers gathered below.
The stunt also fueled engagement rumors. In some accounts, one of the climbers appeared to get down on one knee after reaching the top, turning the climb into what looked like an elaborate proposal as well as a public display. The blend of romance, risk and spectacle drew attention because it unfolded on one of New York City’s most recognizable landmarks, in full view of a busy midday Manhattan skyline.
The episode put a new spotlight on security at the Empire State Building, which opened on April 11, 1931 and held the title of the world’s tallest building for 40 years before being surpassed by the World Trade Center in 1970. The building has a long history of unauthorized ascents, even as occasional sanctioned climbs have been tightly controlled. In 2023, Jared Leto was allowed to climb up to the base of the antenna from the 86th floor for a tour promotion.
Wednesday’s climb ended with the pair in custody and the observation deck reopened, but it left behind a sharper question for one of the country’s most famous towers: how to deter copycat stunts when a viral ascent can still turn a protected landmark into a live social-media stage.
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