Two climbers scale Empire State Building spire, unfurl Peace banner and get engaged at the top [VIDEO]
The Russian rooftopping couple spent nearly an hour on the 1,454-foot spire before proposing and being taken into custody
Two individuals climbed to the top of the Empire State Building‘s 1,454-foot spire this afternoon (July 1), unfurling a banner reading “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace” before the man dropped to one knee and proposed. The 35-second aerial clip, posted by @Breaking911, shows the pair perched on the narrow structure high above Midtown Manhattan as the banner billows in the wind.
The climbers, later identified as Russian rooftoppers Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, spent approximately an hour at the summit before descending to a lower platform where Beerkus proposed. The unauthorized stunt, which drew massive attention from news helicopters and bystanders below, ended with both being taken into NYPD custody. No injuries were reported.
Aerial Footage Captured the Stunt
The FOX News helicopter footage opens with wide shots of the Empire State Building’s upper section, the surrounding cityscape visible far below. Two figures in dark clothing are visible on the narrow spire, a long black banner with white lettering unfurled between them. The banner flutters in the wind as the pair maintain their balance on the precarious perch.
The camera shifts angles, offering closer views of the two against the building’s Art Deco architecture. The figures adjust their positions, holding or securing the banner while perched on the metal latticework. The drop to street level is dizzying, with yellow taxis and other vehicles visible on the streets far below.
Throughout the footage, the banner remains extended, its message clearly visible: “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.” The quote, sometimes attributed to Jimi Hendrix, has appeared in various forms online. The dramatic visual of the banner against the New York City skyline dominated coverage of the incident.
The Descent and Surprise Proposal
After spending approximately 30 minutes at the top with the banner, the pair began climbing down the metal latticework to a wider ledge below the antenna’s full height. It was there that Beerkus knelt and appeared to propose to Nikolau with a ring. She accepted, and they embraced, hugged, kissed, and took selfies.
Reports indicate one of the climbers wore cat-ear accessories during the moment, adding a whimsical touch to the otherwise harrowing stunt. The proposal was captured from other angles by news helicopters and ground observers, adding a romantic dimension to the unauthorized climb.
The couple, known for their extreme “rooftopping” activities documented in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, had previously climbed skyscrapers around the world without safety equipment. Their decision to combine a political message with a personal milestone has drawn both praise and criticism.
Viewers on X Were Impressed by the Man Climbing Skyscraper to Get Engaged
The proposal element left many people on X blown away. As a result, one person wrote, “He just proposed to her 💍,” and another commenting, “Empire State just became Proposal State. This brother has High Standards!”
Some praised the visual or physical feat. “This shot kicks […],” one user wrote, while another commented, “I actually think this is cool as […]. Instead of losers online bitching… they actually went and did something difficult.” The dramatic aerial footage clearly resonated with viewers who appreciated the audacity of the climb.
Others criticized the banner or interpreted it politically. “The left can’t meme has never been more true than right now. Idiot lib word salad banner,” one user wrote. Another commented, “I think America has a communist problem, I just cant prove it yet.” The political interpretations reflected the polarized nature of the response.
Security-focused comments appeared frequently. “They climbed up. Let them figure that getting down […] themselves,” one user wrote. Meanwhile, another person commented, “Two random guys bypassing millions of dollars of New York ‘high-level security’… proves modern safety is just theater.” The questions about how the climbers bypassed security dominated a significant portion of the discussion.
Some users expressed humor or meme-style reactions. “I fell so many times, watching this video,” one wrote. Then, others shared GIFs reacting to the spinning helicopter camera movement. References to the Netflix documentary and future media adaptations also appeared.
A minority of replies defended the climbers or expressed appreciation for the peace message. “We need way more of this kind of thing,” one user wrote. Others expressed concern over the physical toll or heat exposure at such extreme heights.
The Rooftoppers Behind the Stunt
Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus are Russian nationals known for their extreme urban climbing. It is a practice called “rooftopping” that involves scaling skyscrapers and other tall structures without safety equipment or tethers. Their activities have been documented extensively on social media and in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story.
The documentary follows the couple as they climb some of the world’s tallest buildings. In addition to climbing, they capture breathtaking footage from heights that would terrify most people. Their climbs often involve bypassing security measures and accessing restricted areas, making them both admired and criticized for their audacity.
Their decision to combine a political message with a personal milestone at the Empire State Building continues their pattern of using iconic locations for dramatic public statements. The couple has no known prior criminal history in New York City, though their unauthorized climbs have previously drawn legal scrutiny in other countries.
How New York City Responded to the Security Breach
The unauthorized access to the spire, which sits above public observation decks and requires passing security screening, raised immediate questions about building security. The couple bypassed measures that typically prohibit items such as masks or large packages. However, building management stated the event posed no danger to the building or public.
NYPD responded to the scene, with officers working to bring the climbers down safely. After the couple descended the remainder of the spire, they were taken into custody around 1:00 p.m. No injuries were reported to the individuals, police, or bystanders.
The Empire State Building remained open during the incident, though some areas may have been affected. Onlookers, including tourists and office workers, gathered on sidewalks to watch the aerial activity, with some expressing amazement at the height and feat.
Final Thoughts
As of the latest reports, the couple remained in NYPD custody, with trespassing and unauthorized access charges expected. No prior criminal history in New York City was reported. The Empire State Building management described the event as unauthorized but noted it posed no danger to the building or public.
The incident has drawn comparisons to previous unauthorized climbs of the Empire State Building. However, one promotional climb by actor Jared Leto in 2023 was permitted. The couple’s prior documented climbs and their appearance in the Netflix documentary suggest this was part of their ongoing pattern of extreme urban exploration.
The banner’s message, the proposal, and the dramatic setting have ensured the incident will be remembered. For the couple, the stunt represents both a personal milestone and a continuation of their daring public performances. For New York City, it’s another reminder of the challenges of securing iconic landmarks against determined individuals.