In New York, two masked rooftoppers climbed the Empire State Building and attached a banner to the spire reading: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”
The incident occurred around noon local time. A man and a woman climbed the 443-meter building, including its spire. Afterward, the pair descended to a small platform. According to media reports and eyewitnesses, the man got down on one knee and proposed to his companion. They kissed and continued their descent.
After that, the pair were detained by police. They may face charges of trespassing and creating a safety risk. Because of the rooftoppers’ action, police closed several streets near the Empire State Building and sent a helicopter into the air.
According to Variety and RTVI US, the people who climbed the building were Russian rooftoppers Angela Nikolau and Vanya Beerkus. They travel the world and climb skyscrapers without safety equipment. They are the subjects of the documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, released in 2024. It was first shown at the Sundance Film Festival and then released on Netflix.
Nikolau later confirmed on Instagram that she and Beerkus were the ones who climbed one of New York’s most famous buildings. In one of the photographs, she showed the ring.
The Empire State Building’s management said the action posed no threat to tenants, building visitors or guests of the observation deck.
“It should be emphasized that the Empire State Building Observatory, located atop the world’s most famous building in the heart of New York City, is an excellent option for the most memorable marriage proposals,” a building representative added.