Overview
- Two masked climbers scaled the Empire State Building’s 1,454-foot antenna around noon on July 1, displayed a black banner reading “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace,” and were taken into custody after descending.
- The NYPD identified the pair as Ivan Kuznetsov (also known as Ivan Beerkus), 32, and Angelina/Angela Nikolau, 33, and charged them with burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, criminal tampering, possession of burglar’s tools, disorderly conduct and related violations.
- Investigators are probing how the climbers reached the restricted transmission tower, with preliminary reporting suggesting they may have used a maintenance hatch near the 103rd floor, a route that is normally closed to the public.
- The couple posted photos and video consistent with a marriage proposal during the descent and are known figures in the rooftop‑climbing subculture who were featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story.
- Building officials and police said no visitors were injured and the incident was resolved, but safety experts warned the antenna carries broadcast equipment and electrical and radio‑frequency hazards that make unauthorized access dangerous and raise security concerns for landmarks.