10
Loading video...
By Amanda Castro
Associate News Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Two professional daredevils who starred in the Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story were arraigned Thursday after authorities said they climbed the Empire State Building's antenna, unfurled a banner promoting love and peace, and got engaged atop the iconic skyscraper.
The case has drawn widespread attention because prosecutors allege the stunt endangered the climbers, responding officers and the public, leading to felony reckless endangerment, burglary and other charges.
Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus were released without bail and are due back in court as prosecutors turn over evidence and the couple weighs its legal options.
Read More on News
According to court documents, the pair allegedly breached a restricted-access area, climbed to the top of the Empire State Building's 1,454-foot antenna, displayed a banner reading, "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace," and carried out a marriage proposal before being intercepted by police.
...
What We Know About the People Climbing the Empire State Building
Video shows one of the climbers getting down on one knee and proposing to the other while both remain perched on the narrow ledge more than 1,400 feet above Manhattan. The couple shared kisses at the top of the transmitter before beginning their descent, with the woman slipping on an engagement ring as she climbed down.
The pair, dressed in black and wearing helmets and masks, are positioned on a section of the antenna far above any public area of the 102‑story building. It remains unclear how they reached the structure, which is tightly secured and normally inaccessible.
A video posted to Nikolau’s Instagram Stories shortly before the climb suggested she was atop the building. Nikolau and Beerkus, both Russian “rooftoppers,” have documented similar stunts at skyscrapers across Europe and Asia. They were also the subjects of the 2024 Netflix film Skywalkers: A Love Story, prompting some social media users to speculate that the climb doubled as a promotional stunt.
After displaying the banner, the pair descended to a lower ledge where Beerkus appeared to propose to Nikolau. Photos later shared on Nikolau's social media accounts appeared to show the couple celebrating their engagement, including an image of a ring held above the Manhattan skyline from their perch high above the city.
Authorities appeared to climb the antenna as the couple descended. Officers met the pair near the base of the spire and placed them into custody just before 1 p.m.
According to a criminal complaint, investigators found a broken lock on a security door leading to the Empire State Building's restricted-access 104th floor, the area that provides entry to the tower's iconic antenna. The building's highest public observation deck is located on the 102nd floor, while access to higher levels requires a key card, prosecutors said.
Empire State Realty Trust described the ascent as "unauthorized" and has not publicly detailed how the pair gained access beyond secured areas. The building maintains strict security protocols, including screening visitors and restricting certain items from being brought inside. CNN reported Thursday that the couple spent the night in the building before their climb.
Following their arraignment Thursday, Beerkus and Nikolau were released without bail under New York's bail laws. Their attorney, Jason Krinsky, said the defense would review the evidence once it is provided by prosecutors before determining how to proceed with the case.
“What a way to propose — something you can only dream of," Krinsky said. “So you've got to, you know, give him some credit for that.”
What Did Their Flag Say?
The banner the pair unfurled read, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace."
The phrase is widely attributed to Jimi Hendrix, though historians note there’s no verified recording or interview where he actually said it. The sentiment contrasts the love of power—domination and control—with the power of love —empathy and human connection. Scholars often trace the idea to William Ewart Gladstone, who wrote a similar line in the 19th century.
...
Is It Illegal to Climb Buildings in NYC?
Climbing the exterior of any building or tall structure without permission is illegal in New York City.
It is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. It applies to any structure over 50 feet tall, including the Empire State Building, unless the climb is authorized solely for construction or maintenance.
Previous unauthorized climbs of the Empire State Building have drawn headlines over the years, but few were sanctioned by the landmark's owners. One notable exception came in 2023, when actor and musician Jared Leto was granted permission to climb from the 86th-floor observatory to the base of the tower's antenna as part of a promotional event for his band's world tour.
How Tall Is the Empire State Building?
The Empire State Building rises to 1,250 feet at its top floor, but its full height reaches 1,454 feet when you include the spire and antenna. That makes it one of the tallest and most recognizable towers in the world—currently the 4th-tallest in New York City, the 6th-tallest in the United States, and the 43rd-tallest globally.
The skyscraper has 102 floors open to the public, plus a private 103rd floor used for VIP access. Visitors can reach two observation decks: the 86th floor at 1,050 feet and the 102nd floor at 1,250 feet, offering some of the highest views in Manhattan.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Gabe Whisnant and Sam Wilson.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines