Two climbers scale Empire State Building spire with peace banner
Two masked climbers reached the antenna spire atop New York City's Empire State Building on July 1, 2026, unfurling a pro-peace banner before beginning a descent that ended with what appeared to be a marriage proposal. NYPD dispatched a helicopter as streets below were closed, and police sources said the pair may have been posting to social media from roughly 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan.
Key Takeaways
- Two people climbed the Empire State Building's radio and television transmission tower around noon on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
- They displayed a banner reading: "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace."
- The climbers appeared to be a masked man and woman in black sleeveless clothing at the spire's red-lit tip.
- An NYPD helicopter responded; at 12:35 p.m., the pair began descending and the man appeared to propose on a lower platform.
- Police sources cited possible trespass and reckless endangerment charges; authorities were still investigating.
What happened at the Empire State Building on July 1, 2026?
Around noon on July 1, 2026, two people scaled the highest point of the Empire State Building—the antenna spire used for local radio and television transmission. CBS News New York reported they held onto the structure near the glowing red light at the tip, about 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan sidewalks.
The building's top floor sits at 1,250 feet; the full landmark, including the tower, stands 1,454 feet tall. It was not immediately clear how the climbers bypassed normal viewing areas and security to reach the summit.
Video and images from the scene circulated widely online, and police sources told CBS News New York the two appeared to be posting to social media while at the top. FOX 5 New York and ABC7 Chicago carried live coverage as the flag was raised from the spire, turning a high-risk stunt into a real-time global spectacle similar to other viral moments covered in our Future Tech & AI Wonders section.
What did the peace banner say?
The black banner bore white capital letters with a message often associated with peace advocacy: "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace." The pair, who appeared to be a man and a woman wearing masks, hung the sign from the transmission tower while clinging to the metal structure.
Shortly after reaching the top, one climber began to descend but returned to the summit moments later, according to CBS News New York. Social media reactions split between praise for the peace message and concern over the safety and legality of scaling an occupied skyscraper days before the July 4 weekend.
How did NYPD respond to the Empire State Building climb?
CBS News New York's Lisa Rozner reported that streets below were closed off as the NYPD responded to the scene. An NYPD helicopter circled the tower while dozens of officers, including Emergency Service Unit personnel, converged on the Fifth Avenue landmark.
At approximately 12:35 p.m., both climbers started coming down from the top. On a lower platform of the transmission tower, the man dropped to one knee and appeared to propose; the woman removed her mask and they embraced and kissed, according to footage reviewed by CBS. No injuries were immediately reported.
Could the climbers face criminal charges?
The NYPD said it was investigating the stunt. Police sources told CBS News New York that potential charges could include trespass and reckless endangerment, though authorities had not immediately confirmed whether the pair had been taken into custody or what charges would be filed.
For official updates and video from the scene, see CBS News New York's coverage.