Couple arrested after scaling Empire State Building antenna and displaying love-themed banner

A Russian pair identified as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus climbed the antenna of the Empire State Building on Wednesday, unfurled a banner reading “when the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace,” and then descended. The stunt, captured by news-helicopter footage, appeared to be part of a high-altitude marriage proposal and was featured in the Netflix documentary “Skywalkers: A Love Story.”

Police Emergency Services Unit officers ascended the structure, intercepted the climbers and arrested them on charges of burglary, reckless endangerment and related offenses. Body-camera video showed an officer telling the duo they could not remain on the antenna, to which an off-camera voice responded, “We are engaged.”

Building management described the incident as “unauthorized” but said it did not endanger anyone inside the skyscraper. The couple’s method of accessing the antenna was not disclosed, and officials did not comment on any security lapses. Tourists on the observation deck reported seeing the climbers pass through restricted mesh gates, initially assuming they were workers.

“It’s crazy — it’s like being in the movies,” said Jonathan Roman, a visitor from Glasgow, describing the scene from the sidewalk.

The two have previously been featured for unauthorized climbs of tall structures, sometimes posing as construction workers. Their recent act adds to a series of similar stunts at the landmark, though most have been unsanctioned.