Two individuals were arrested on Wednesday after climbing onto the antenna of the Empire State Building in New York City, where they unfurled a flag reading “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.” The incident, which drew widespread attention, ended without injuries, according to the New York Police Department.
Arrest and Investigation
The New York Police Department confirmed in a statement that the two suspects were taken into custody without incident. No injuries were reported, and the investigation remains ongoing, with charges pending. An Empire State Building spokesperson told HuffPost that the “unauthorized incident” has been resolved, emphasizing that at no time were tenants, visitors, or observation deck guests in danger.
Identities of the Climbers
The climbers have been identified as Angela Nikolau, a self-described neoartist with over 1 million Instagram followers, and Ivan Beerkus, a musician with more than 400,000 followers on the platform. The pair appeared to get engaged at the top, with Beerkus reportedly proposing to Nikolau. Nikolau posted a view from the building on her Instagram stories, writing, “Currently at the Empire State Building.”
Social Media and Documentary Background
Together, they shared a joint Instagram post featuring photos from their vantage point, including a diamond ring on Nikolau’s finger and images captured from what appears to be the building’s live camera feed. The couple starred in Netflix’s 2024 documentary “Skywalkers: A Love Story,” which chronicled their climb of Merdeka 118, a 118-story skyscraper in Malaysia.
Live Coverage and Street Closures
Live news coverage showed the pair climbing the Empire State Building to the top of the antenna, unfurling the flag, and then descending. During the climb, the NYPD posted on X, warning of street closures near 5th Avenue and 34th Street. The building’s spokesperson reiterated that the observation deck remains a safe venue for memorable events, including marriage proposals.
