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Empire State Building climbers arrested after hanging banner on antenna
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- A Russian couple, Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, climbed the Empire State Building’s antenna in New York City, unfurled a banner promoting love and peace, and appeared to propose marriage before being arrested.
- The pair, featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary "Skywalkers: A Love Story," performed the stunt without safety tethers, balancing on narrow ledges and posing for photos atop the 1,454-foot structure.
- Police arrested the couple on charges including burglary and reckless endangerment after they descended and calmly spoke with officers; the Empire State Building management confirmed the incident was unauthorized but did not endanger others.
- The couple’s access method to the restricted antenna area remains unclear, though witnesses reported seeing them enter off-limits zones without masks, leading some onlookers to mistake them for workers.
- The stunt caused the building’s observation deck to be temporarily blocked off, drawing attention from tourists and media, while similar unauthorized climbs have occurred previously at the landmark.
