Two masked people have climbed the Empire State Building in New York City, before flying a huge banner. The pair, who appear to be a man and a woman, have their faces covered. Dressed in sleeveless black outfits, they clung to the landmark skyscraper’s antenna spire after reaching the very top of its radio and television transmission tower at around midday on Wednesday.
The banner read: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace,” according to CBS News. It is not yet clear how the pair managed to reach the summit of the structure, which rises above the building’s observation decks. NBC New York helicopters circled overhead while police sources told CBS News New York the pair appeared to be posting to social media from the top of the tower. After climbing down to one of the lower platforms, the man dropped to one knee and proposed to the woman. She then removed her mask before the pair embraced and kissed.
Despite the dramatic scenes unfolding above, visitors could still be seen going about their day on the Empire State Building’s observation deck below.
Shortly after unfurling the banner, one of the climbers began making their way back down before returning to the top moments later.
By around 12.35pm local time, both individuals had begun descending from the tower and the observation deck was cleared.
Law enforcement were waiting below behind yellow police tape, with CBS reporting that the pair were taken into custody around 1pm.
The stunt was caught live on the iconic building’s official webcam, allowing viewers to watch the masked pair unfurl the banner high above Manhattan in real time.
Former CBS News New York chief engineer John Cleary warned the pair were putting themselves at significant risk by climbing the transmission tower, particularly in the hot conditions.
“These guys are a little crazy,” he said. “Climbing up and down that tower, especially in this heat, is very strenuous. It’s easy to make mistakes.
“It doesn’t look like they’re wearing any harnesses. There’s a lot of RF, there’s a lot of electrical energy up on that tower.
“There’s potential for danger up there. It’s something that we’re trained to do. We go to classes for this … it’s not like you climb rocks. This is a live transmission tower. There’s a lot of danger up there.”
The Empire State Building’s highest occupied floor stands at 1,250ft, while the landmark reaches a total height of 1,454ft including its transmission tower.
It remains one of the 10 tallest buildings in the United States.
The banner’s message is reported to be a slightly modified version of a quote long attributed to guitarist Jimi Hendrix, although earlier versions have also been attributed to former British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone.
