Couple gets arrested after climbing the Empire State Building for an apparent proposal

On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, two people were arrested after illegally climbing the outside of the Empire State Building in Manhattan, New York. According to the New York Police Department, the couple appeared to stage a marriage proposal. The unauthorized climb prompted an emergency response because it presented a potential safety risk for one of the world’s most recognized landmarks and the citizens surrounding the building. According to NBC New York, the climbers were identified as Ivan Kuznetsov and Angelina Nikolau (also known as Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau, respectively); the same pair behind a documentary called “Skywalkers: A Love Story.” Directed by Jeff Zimbalist, the documentary follows the couple’s extreme climbing feats over seven years and spanning across six countries, using the dangerous task of illegally scaling buildings as a literal and figurative metaphor for trust and the risks of love. Before Kuznetsov proposed, the couple revealed a banner that read: “When the power of love beats the love for power, the world knows peace.” The banner was displayed as Kuznetsov got down on one knee to propose to Nikolau on top of the building, creating one of the stunt’s most popular and widely shared pictures. Shortly after the stunt, photos and videos of the proposal quickly circulated across social media platforms as users reacted to both the engagement and the message the couple expressed. Several companies and internet users used generative artificial intelligence to alter the banner’s message for marketing campaigns and internet memes. By replacing the original quote with promotional slogans or humorous captions for personal entertainment, people across social media platforms have pointed out that the edits shifted attention away from the couple’s intended statement about world peace. The Empire State Building has been one of New York City’s most visited tourist attractions, welcoming millions of visitors each year. Due to its prominence, unauthorized climbers are rare and typically generate widespread media attention. Authorities are continuing the investigation to seek out circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s incident and have not announced whether additional charges will be filed. Despite the initial arrests, both the proposal and banner have continued to circulate online, drawing international attention to the couple’s latest climb. Some internet users praised the proposal as a memorable display of commitment and love, while others criticized the climb as irresponsible and disruptive, arguing that it puts first responders and the general public at unnecessary risk. Additionally, the event also reignited discussions regarding security at major landmarks and whether or not highly dangerous stunts that generate media virality, such as this one, would encourage similar behavior from younger audiences.