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Two people could be seen climbing to the top of New York City’s Empire State Building around noon on Wednesday, July 1
The pair, who appeared to be a masked man and woman, held a sign that read, “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace”
While standing on a narrow ledge, the man appeared to get down on one knee and propose to the other individual
Two people could be seen climbing to the top of New York City’s Empire State Building.
On Wednesday, July 1, two trespassers could be seen climbing to the top of the skyscraper, which stands at a total height of 1,454 feet, carrying a banner that reads, “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”
In photos and videos of the pair, who appear to be a man and a woman wearing masks, they were seen clinging onto the building’s spire around noon without using any harnesses or equipment to secure themselves to the tower.
As of 1 p.m., the pair had been at the top of the building for nearly an hour.
According to CBS News, all guests were removed from the observation deck as the New York Police Department monitored the masked individuals, who frequently appeared to be starting their descent before climbing back up, from nearby helicopters.
After the pair safely lowered themselves onto a ledge halfway down the spire, the man appeared to get down on one knee to propose to the other individual. Then, the woman seemingly took off her mask to kiss him before they both crouched down to share a private moment together.
Just before 1 p.m., members of the New York Police Department could be seen starting to climb the building as crowds gathered to watch the dangerous scene from below.
Empire State Building
Credit: Craig T Fruchtman/Getty
CBS News has since reported that the two were taken into custody around 1:10 p.m.
The Empire State Building and the New York Police Department didn’t immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Built in 1931, the Empire State Building has 102 floors and held the title of tallest building for 40 years after it opened on April 11. Having served as the backdrop for films like King Kong and Sleepless Seattle, the iconic building sits at the top of the 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do list.
Unlike the latest incident, Jared Leto climbed the Empire State Building in November 2023 as a planned stunt to announce the launch of Thirty Seconds to Mars’ 2024 Seasons world tour in support of the band’s album, It’s The End of the World But It’s a Beautiful Day.
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