Protesters Climb Empire State Building and Deploy Banner

Two people climbed to the antenna of the Empire State Building and deployed a banner with a message about the power of love. The incident ended with their arrest and partial street closures in Manhattan.

The incident occurred at midday on Wednesday and attracted a significant NYPD response. Authorities are still investigating how they managed to access a restricted structure on one of New York’s most heavily monitored buildings.

What Happened at the Top?

The images show two people dressed in black, wearing helmets and masks, atop the skyscraper’s antenna. The pair were identified on social media as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, two well-known Russian «rooftoppers.» The banner read: «When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.» The phrase is often attributed to Jimi Hendrix, though its exact origin remains debated by historians.

@latinus_us Two people climb to the top of the Empire State Building in New York and display a banner with the message: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” An investigation has been opened to determine how they were able to reach the top of the skyscraper. #Latinus #InformationForYou ♬ original sound – Latinus

In videos distributed by U.S. media, one of them appears to kneel down to propose marriage. Then both kiss before beginning their descent. The New York Police Department closed nearby streets and deployed emergency personnel. An NYPD helicopter was also seen monitoring the area from the air.

Why Is It Illegal?

The city prohibits climbing the exterior of tall structures without permission. The rule applies to buildings, towers, bridges, and statues taller than 50 feet. The violation is considered a Class A misdemeanor. It can result in up to 1 year in jail, a fine of $1,000, or both penalties.

The Empire State Building stands 1,454 feet in total height, including its antenna and spire. This makes it one of New York’s most recognizable icons and a high-risk point for any climbing attempt. The New York Office of Emergency Management typically issues warnings about closures and operations in incidents of this type. The immediate priority is to prevent falls, collisions, or risks to pedestrians.

Who Were the Climbers?

Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus are no strangers to social media audiences. Both have documented illegal and acrobatic climbs on major buildings across Europe and Asia. Additionally, they were featured in the Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story. Because of this, some users suspected that the climb could also be a promotional strategy.