At midday on Wednesday, two individuals ascended to the antenna of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner proclaiming “the power of love.” Afterward, they descended, embraced, took selfies, and were taken into custody.
Dressed in black and wearing masks — though no safety tethers were visible — the pair balanced on a narrow ledge and appeared to kiss atop the skyscraper’s antenna, which reaches 1,454 feet (443 meters) above Midtown Manhattan, as captured by a news helicopter.
The banner, which read “when the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace,” fluttered in the wind.
Shortly after 12:30 p.m., they began to descend, navigating the metal lattice to a wider ledge, where one briefly set up electronic equipment and knelt.
Following another kiss and embrace, the other individual took selfies with an outstretched left hand, appearing to examine a ring.
Spectators gathered on the sidewalks surrounding the art‑deco landmark, watching the scene unfold.