NEW YORK — Two people were detained after climbing to the top of the Empire State Building's antenna and unfurling a banner carrying a peace message before descending and appearing to become engaged, authorities said, in a stunt that prompted a police response and raised questions about security at one of New York City's best-known landmarks.
The pair, dressed in black and wearing masks, reached the narrow spire above the building's observation decks without visible safety equipment. News helicopter footage showed them balancing on the structure while displaying a banner reading, "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace."
As they climbed down from the antenna to a wider ledge shortly after midday on Wednesday, one of the climbers appeared to kneel before the other in what witnesses and video footage suggested was a marriage proposal. The two embraced and took photographs before police officers reached them.
The New York Police Department said both individuals were taken into custody without incident after emergency service officers climbed multiple ladders to reach them at the top of the spire. Police said the investigation remains ongoing. A law enforcement official identified the pair as Angelina Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, who are known online for high-altitude urban climbing.
According to court records and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, the pair were later charged with offenses including reckless endangerment, burglary, criminal mischief and other violations linked to the incident. Prosecutors alleged they entered restricted areas of the building and endangered themselves and emergency responders.
Authorities said investigators are working to determine how the climbers gained access to restricted portions of the landmark. The Empire State Building screens visitors before entry and limits access beyond public observation areas. Building management said the incident did not pose a danger to visitors and thanked first responders for bringing it to a safe conclusion.
The climbers have previously attracted international attention for scaling skyscrapers without ropes or harnesses, including feats documented in the 2024 Netflix film "Skywalkers: A Love Story."
The defendants appeared in Manhattan court on Thursday and were released under court supervision while their criminal case proceeds, according to court records.
