Two people illegally climbed to the top of the Empire State Building's spire on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 [1], to unfurl a large banner [2].
The stunt highlights the persistent challenge of securing high-profile landmarks against urban climbers who use extreme heights to broadcast personal or political messages.
The individuals, identified in some reports as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus [3], reached the antenna of the New York City skyscraper [4]. The banner they displayed featured the words “Power of Love” [2], though some observers described the display as a peace banner [2].
The climbers ascended to the very top of the structure, reaching a height of 1,454 feet [5]. According to some reports, the pair performed the illegal climb to celebrate their recent engagement [3].
Authorities responded to the breach of security at the landmark. The couple was arrested by police following the incident [6]. While some reports focus on the illegal nature of the climb, others emphasize the message of love and peace intended by the pair [3, 4].
This incident follows a pattern of high-altitude stunts in the city, where climbers bypass security to reach the spires of iconic buildings. The Empire State Building remains one of the most targeted sites for such activities due to its global visibility.
“Two people illegally climbed to the top of the Empire State Building's spire”
The incident underscores a recurring security vulnerability at global landmarks where the desire for viral visibility outweighs the legal risks of trespassing. By choosing the Empire State Building, the climbers ensured their message reached a global audience, effectively turning a security breach into a high-profile public advertisement for their personal relationship and a general message of peace.
