Daredevil Couple Arrested After Climbing the Empire State Building: What We Know
The New York landmark has a history of being scaled illegally—and legally.

Two people were arrested after an apparent marriage proposal atop the Empire State Building’s spire on Wednesday, having climbed well above the section open to the public. The pair were identified as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, Russian 'rooftoppers' known for carrying out similar stunts in cities including Los Angeles and Tianjin in China. Dressed in black and with their faces covered, they unfurled a large black banner bearing the words: 'When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.' It remains unclear how they reached the uppermost section of the building, which rises 1,454ft (443 metres) above midtown Manhattan. The New York police department said charges were pending and the investigation remained ongoing. CBS News later reported that the pair were facing charges including burglary, criminal trespass and reckless endangerment Continue reading...
The New York landmark has a history of being scaled illegally—and legally.
New York City residents were surprised to find two masked people climbing the Empire State Building just after noon on Wednesday.The New York Police Department confirmed via social media that they closed down streets near 5th Avenue and 34th Street in Manhattan.They unfurled a banner that read, 'When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.'The couple identified themselves on social media as daredevil climbers Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau from Russia.They unfurled a banner that read, "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace."The NYPD later confirmed that officers had taken the couple into custody but did not immediately say what charges they may face.One woman told USA Today that there were rumors that the man proposed to the woman during the climb."But I don't really know exactly what it is," Stephanie Hazelwood said. "It just seems like an attention thing and art, maybe."Video obtained by ABC News did indeed appear to show the male climber getting on one knee and proposing to the female climber, who then takes photos of her hand."If it's a proposal, it's an elaborate one, and I hope she said yes," one news anchor said on the video."OK, they're hugging. I think he just proposed!" the other anchor said.The couple were the subject of a documentary titled "Skywalkers: A Love Story" from 2024 and have a large following on social media.RELATED: Watch: 'Pro-Life Spider-Man' climbs New York Times building and California's second-tallest skyscraper in daring protest against abortion A spokesperson for the Empire State Building said the "unauthorized" incident was resolved and used the occasion to market the building."It is to be emphasized that the Empire State Building Observation Deck, atop the 'World's Most Famous Building' in the center of New York City, does offer a practical way for the most memorable marriage proposals," the spokesperson said.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
"No American government building should ever be raising another country's flag," journalist Mark Hemingway posted on X. "Ugh."
The two were atop the 1,454 ft (443m) building for at least ten minutes and displayed a large banner before climbing down.
Far-left NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday urged New Yorkers to set their thermostats to 78 degrees to alleviate stress on the energy grid. The post Mamdani Tells New Yorkers to Set Thermostats to 78 Degrees to Alleviate Stress on the Grid Amid Life-Threatening Heat Wave (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Two people are in police custody after climbing to the top of the Empire State Building on Wednesday afternoon while dressed in black and holding a pro-peace banner, the NYPD confirmed. Their charges are currently pending. “Two unknown individuals were observed on the antenna of the Empire State Building located 20 West 34 Street, within…
The Trump administration has arrested more than 1,900 noncitizens inside the United States who it alleges are terrorists and came into the country during the Biden administration, according to a Cabinet official. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday that federal, state, and local police are on guard for […]
Police have arrested at least 15 people in recent years based on bad facial recognition hits.