Couple arrested after staging dramatic ‘engagement’ stunt on top of the Empire State Building
By TUW
New York, 1 July 2026, A couple sparked widespread attention on Wednesday after illegally scaling the iconic Empire State Building and staging what appeared to be an engagement ceremony at its summit.
The two masked individuals climbed to the top of the 1,454-foot (443-metre) skyscraper, where they unfurled a banner reading: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.” Witnesses reported seeing the pair embracing and appearing to mark the moment as a symbolic engagement at the building’s antenna.
Security teams and New York Police monitored the incident from the ground and via helicopter, while parts of the observation area were temporarily evacuated as a precaution.
After spending time at the peak of the landmark, the couple descended the structure and were taken into custody by authorities. They are expected to face charges including trespassing and reckless endangerment, while investigations continue into how they accessed restricted sections of the building.
The incident has since gone viral online, drawing both criticism over safety risks and discussion about the message displayed on the banner.
