On Wednesday, two masked men climbed to the top of the antenna of the Empire State Building in New York City, where they displayed a banner promoting peace before returning and ultimately being arrested.
Dressed entirely in black and climbing without visible safety harnesses, the pair stood on a narrow ledge near the summit of the antenna, about 443 meters (1,454 ft) above Manhattan.
News footage shot from a helicopter showed them embracing and kissing after unfurling a banner that read: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world knows peace.”
Shortly after 12:30 p.m., climbers began lowering the antenna’s metal structure onto a broad platform. There, the man appeared to hold a piece of electronic equipment before kneeling in front of the other, after which the couple kissed and hugged again.
The woman then took several selfies with her left hand extended, suggesting she was admiring a ring.
Reuters news agency reported that the apparent pair were from Russia.
What did the New York Police say on the incident?
Police took both climbers into custody at 1 pm, soon after they descended from the skyscraper.
Authorities said no injuries were reported, though the identities of those arrested were not immediately released.
Officials have not said how the pair reached the antenna, which is located high above the building’s public observation areas.
“The two men were taken into custody without incident. No injuries were reported. Charges are pending and the investigation is still ongoing,” a NYPD spokesman told the French AFP news agency.
The Empire State Building was designed in the Art Deco style in the early 1930s and remained the tallest building in the world until the 1960s.
Tourists who want to enjoy the view of New York from its main deck on the 86th floor must purchase a ticket for $44 (about €38.6) or pay an additional $35 to access an enclosed observation deck on the 102nd floor.
Like many other New York landmarks, the building has had increased security since the 9/11 attacks.
Edited by: Rana Taha