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Two people arrested after climbing Empire State Building with banner, NYPD says
By
Charles Lane
Published Jul 1, 2026
Modified Jul 1, 2026
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TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP via Getty Images
By
Charles Lane
Published Jul 1, 2026
Modified Jul 1, 2026
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Two people were arrested after climbing atop the Empire State Building, waving a banner and proposing marriage, police officials said.
Police officials said they were investigating the incident after a man and woman climbed to the top of the 102-story building's antenna around noon Wednesday. TV images showed what appeared to be a man and a woman in masks carrying a large banner reading, "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace." The man could then be seen kneeling before the woman.
The couple was taken into custody around 1 p.m. Wednesday without incident, according to officials.
Police identified the pair as Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, from East Orange, New Jersey, and Angelina Nikolau, 33, also from East Orange. Their attorney information was not immediately available.
Authorities said they were also investigating a person associated with a social media account documenting the climb. The social media account appeared to belong to Nikolau, a self-described "neo-artist" featured in the Netflix documentary "Skywalkers: A Love Story."
Police later charged both with burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, violation of a local law, possession of burglar's tools, criminal tampering, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.
NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch later posted body-camera footage of the arrest on social media. The video shows officers climbing the spire and asking the couple whether they planned to cooperate before taking them into custody. One officer can be heard speaking with the woman, who says she speaks Russian.
Workers near Madison Square Garden stop and look up toward the Empire State Building in New York on July 1, 2026. Two people climbed to the top of the Empire State Building on July 1 and unfurled a banner.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP via Getty Images
A spokesperson for the building said tenants and visitors were never in danger. The spokesperson also pointed to a legal alternative for marriage proposals, noting that couples can book a private proposal experience at the Empire State Building for $1,000.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing.
This is a developing story and has been updated.
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Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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