Protest Atop The Empire State Building Ends In Arrests
on Jul 01, 2026 • Updated Jul 02, 2026
At about 12 p.m. EST on Wednesday, July 1, two individuals climbed atop the Empire State Building.
Wearing all black, as well as masks, the pair believed to be a man and a woman, put themselves at risk, as well as pedestrians below, and first responders who pursued them.
The identities of the two demonstrators were not initially apparent, but they were identified by Variety and other news outlets as Russian extreme climbers Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Beerkus, 32.
They are the subject of a Netflix film, titled Skywalkers. A Love Story (2024).
Upon getting to the top of the antenna, the pair unfurled a black banner reading: “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”
The banner can be seen, here:
BREAKING: Two people have climbed to the top of the Empire State Building in New York City, holding a banner from the skyscraper's antenna reading, "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace."
— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 1, 2026
As of now it's unclear how the pair reached the top of the… pic.twitter.com/rUPZ6nc1eK
It is not entirely clear if the statement on their banner pertains to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, or if it is simply an elaborate marketing stunt.
Following their July 1 arrest, they were arraigned and formally charged in court on July 2…
Watch The Bodycam Of Their Arrest On The Empire State Building, And See The Charges
Fox News reports that approximately 40 New York Police Department officers responded to the scene.
As part of their response, the NYPD shut down the streets below the Empire State Building, which is the 43rd tallest tower in the world.
Due to police activity, expect street closures near 5th Avenue and 34th Street in Manhattan. pic.twitter.com/qBKlcsHveO
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) July 1, 2026
By around 1:15 p.m., the couple had been taken into custody.
Watch the full high-def bodycam of the daring arrest, here (viewer discretion advised).
See a portion of the bodycam footage, here:
Video from an NYPD officer's bodycam shows the moment the couple who climbed the Empire State Building were taken into custody. More: https://t.co/RNXYvRqyw8 pic.twitter.com/iaBDvxPbx5
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) July 1, 2026
The suspected couple face several charges, including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, possession of burglar’s tools, criminal tampering, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct, a spokesperson for the NYPD said, as noted by TIME Magazine.
On Thursday, July 2, ABC 7 News reported that the alleged climbers, Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, were arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court after being held overnight in custody.
The judge gave the two climbers a low level supervised release, with their next court appearance set for Aug. 14.
Their climb on July 1, 2026, was documented on their social media accounts, with Angela posting on her Instagram story that she was atop the Empire State Building.
While they were up there, nearly 1,454 feet from the ground below, they appeared to have also gotten engaged.
The couple could be seen kissing and then lowering their masks to take selfies.
See the proposal moment, here:
Proposal atop the Empire State Building? pic.twitter.com/ngV2b5eaZr
— CSPAN (@cspan) July 1, 2026
See the engagement ring on their Instagram, here:
This is a developing story.
Watch more from the ordeal, here:
