Two people were taken into police custody on Wednesday after climbing the Empire State Building in New York City while carrying a pro-peace banner, authorities said.
According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), the pair scaled the building’s antenna and were safely detained by the department’s Emergency Services Unit. No injuries were reported, and the investigation is ongoing.
Witnesses watched as the masked man and woman climbed the 1,454-foot skyscraper without safety equipment and unfurled a banner reading: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace,” a quote commonly attributed to guitarist Jimi Hendrix.
After reaching one of the lower platforms on the building’s transmission tower, the man appeared to propose, kneeling before the woman. She appeared to accept, removed her mask, and the couple embraced before being taken into custody.
Police said charges are pending.