NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Two masked people climbed on top of the Empire State Building at noon Wednesday holding a banner reading "when the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace."
Following a response by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) Emergency Services Unit, the pair appeared to take down the banner and climb down from the antenna to a lower platform.
One of the people then appeared to pull an engagement ring out of a backpack, get down on one knee and propose.
The couple were later taken into custody and charges are pending, NYPD officials told Fox News Digital.
No injuries were reported. It remains unclear how the people were able to scale the building.
MAMDANI ALLOCATES $500K FOR REPARATIONS TALKS AS NYC FACES $5.4B DEFICIT
A person proposing on the Empire State Building spire. (WNYW)
Roughly 40 police officers remain in front of the building. Others are directing traffic around the building.
The entrance on Fifth Ave., between West 33rd and 34th streets, is blocked off.
Pedestrians were seen gathering on every corner surrounding the building watching the situation unfold.
Two people were spotted holding a banner on top of the Empire State Building in New York City on July 1, 2026. (WNYW)
MAMDANI ALLOCATES $500K FOR REPARATIONS TALKS AS NYC FACES $5.4B DEFICIT
Counting the spire and antenna, the skyscraper stands 1,454 feet tall.
It is currently the fourth-tallest building in New York City, the sixth-tallest in the U.S. and the 43rd tallest tower in the world.
The suspects were holding a banner reading, "when the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace." (WNYW)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has yet to publicly respond to the public stunt.
Mamdani's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Alexandra Koch is a Fox News Digital Editor, with a focus on high-impact events that shape national conversation.
She has covered major national crises, including the L.A. wildfires, Potomac and Hudson River aviation disasters, Boulder terror attack, and Texas Hill Country floods.
