Climber couple arrested after scaling Empire State Building antenna for apparent marriage proposal

[debsy]

Source: AP

NEW YORK (AP) — A daredevil couple scaled the Empire State Building’s antenna Wednesday and unfurled a banner about “the power of love” and peace, apparently as part of an audacious, high-altitude marriage proposal — soon followed by their arrest.

The Russian climbers, who go by Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, were the subject of the 2024 Netflix documentary “ Skywalkers: A Love Story ” about their “rooftopping” exploits and budding romance.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/empire-state-building-antenna-stunt-banner-68f02bde462ee033662f3e5939142559

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I love this.

[Innocent Smith]

1. Pretty Cool

But...

Are you sure the message on the banner wasn't:
"We've been trying to reach you about your car warranty"

[debsy]

7. 😂

[bamagal62]

2. And, then he got down on his knee

And proposed to her. I watched it all live on local news.

[SuzyandPuffpuff]

3. Me too

I love every inch of what they did today. BLESS.THEIR.HEARTS!

[Jacson6]

4. Now some poor sap has to climb up there to check the towers and antennas integrality.

[debsy]

8. Oof. One of those things we tend not to think about.

How our actions affect others. I did not know that.

[ImNotGod]

5. They should be arresting the pedo in the white house. nt

[Talitha]

6. Big whoop, they got arrested...

But what a story they can tell their children and grandchildren!

[littlemissmartypants]

9. Me too, debsy. I think it's excellent.

❤️🕊🔔💍❤️

[Rhiannon12866]

10. Love at 1,454 ft: Climbing duo arrested after Empire State Building proposal - CNN Inside Politics (2 videos)

Two people who reached the top of the Empire State Building’s spire in New York City on Wednesday afternoon are in custody, according to the New York Police Department.

The individuals, who were masked, appeared to get engaged.

Police officers climbed up the spire and met the two just before 1 p.m., according to CNN affiliate WABC.

CNN’s Dana Bash and her Inside Politics panel react to the stunt and CNN chief law enforcement and intelligence analyst John Miller shares details about possible charges facing the two individuals. - Aired on 07/01/2026.

0:00 Protesters hang off the top of the Empire State Building’s spire
1:23 The two individuals start climbing down
2:26 CNN senior national security analyst reacts to the stunt
4:22 The two masked individuals appear to get engaged
9:24 Emergency services officers climb up to meet the two individuals
10:06 CNN chief law enforcement analyst weighs in on potential charges



LIVE - Two people climb to the top of the Empire State Building - MS NOW

July 1, 2026.