Two climbers stunned New York City after scaling the spire of the iconic Empire State Building in a daring stunt that ended with what appeared to be a marriage proposal. Wearing black clothing, helmets, and masks, the pair balanced on a narrow ledge nearly 1,454 feet above Manhattan before unfurling a banner that read, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”
The two later began climbing back down the building’s steel framework, where one of them appeared to kneel and propose. After embracing and sharing a kiss, the couple took photos together, with one image seemingly showing an engagement ring. It remains unclear how they managed to reach the restricted antenna above the public observation areas.
Shortly afterward, professional climbers and social media personalities Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus shared photos on Instagram and Facebook identifying themselves as the pair. Their posts included images from the top of the skyscraper, along with a close-up that appeared to confirm their engagement.
The New York City Police Department later confirmed that both climbers were taken into custody. The highly visible stunt quickly spread across social media, drawing both admiration for the breathtaking feat and criticism over the serious safety risks and unauthorized access to one of New York City’s most famous landmarks.