Meet Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov, couple arrested after climbing Empire State Building

A marriage proposal atop the Empire State Building ended in handcuffs for Russian urban climbers Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov.

On July 1, the couple illegally ascended the building's antenna spire, reaching approximately 1,454 feet. Dressed in black and without visible safety gear, they reached a restricted area and unfurled a banner reading, "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace." Kuznetsov then proposed to Nikolau, who accepted, during their precarious perch high above Manhattan.

The stunt drew the attention of New York police and emergency services. Officers from the NYPD, including the Emergency Service Unit, reached the pair and escorted them down. They were arrested without incident and subsequently charged with burglary, criminal trespass, and reckless endangerment. Investigators are examining how the couple bypassed the building's security to access restricted maintenance areas.

Nikolau and Kuznetsov are well-known in the urban climbing community, often referred to as "rooftoppers," for their daring climbs of skyscrapers worldwide, garnering millions of social media views. Their exploits were featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary "Skywalkers: A Love Story," which highlighted the extensive planning and inherent dangers of their hobby.

The Empire State Building's management condemned the act, pointing out that official proposal packages are available for visitors seeking a memorable engagement legally. Access to parts of the observatory was temporarily restricted during the incident. Officials emphasized the illegal and dangerous nature of the climb, despite the building's reputation as a highly secure landmark.

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When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.