NEW YORK CITY — Two people were taken into custody after climbing to the top of the Empire State Building’s antenna without authorization, carrying out a dangerous stunt that ended with an apparent marriage proposal more than 1,400 feet above Manhattan.
Authorities said the pair climbed beyond the building’s public observation areas and reached the antenna spire, where they unfurled a banner reading, “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.” Witnesses and news helicopters captured the climbers standing on the narrow structure while emergency responders monitored the situation below.
As they descended to a lower platform on the spire, the man appeared to get down on one knee and propose. The woman accepted the proposal before the two continued their descent toward responding officers. The moment was captured on video and quickly spread across social media.
The New York Police Department responded with helicopters, Emergency Service Unit personnel, and other officers. Streets surrounding the Empire State Building were temporarily affected while authorities secured the scene. Officials later took both climbers into custody without injuries being reported.
According to officials, the pair now face multiple criminal charges, including burglary, criminal trespass, and reckless endangerment. Investigators are also examining how they gained access to restricted areas above the building’s public observation decks.
An Empire State Building spokesperson said the unauthorized incident was resolved safely with assistance from the NYPD and emphasized that there was no danger to visitors or tenants. The spokesperson also noted that the landmark offers official proposal packages for couples wishing to become engaged legally at the building.