The arrest of two people who climbed to the top of New York City’s Empire State Building raises a host of questions.
Chief among them is what happened to security? Secondarily, should tourists visiting the iconic skyscraper, a popular destination for anyone traveling to the Big Apple, be worried about the building’s safety?
Reports indicate that those arrested were a “stunt-loving” couple who love climbing skyscrapers and bridges. According to PIX 11, the couple, who have been featured in a Netflix documentary, unfurled a flag that appeared to read “when the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”
While on a lower platform of the building’s transmission tower, the man proposed to the woman, prompting the building observation deck’s X account to post a tongue-in-cheek post.
PSA: The Empire State Building Observation Deck, atop the World's Most Famous Building in the center of New York City, does offer a practical way for the most memorable marriage proposals https://t.co/E93u0zMBIa.
— Empire State Building Observation Deck (@EmpireStateBldg) July 1, 2026
“The unauthorized incident at the building has been resolved with the constructive and helpful coordination of the NYPD,” a building spokesperson told PIX 11. “There was at no time danger to tenants, visitors, and Empire State Building Observation Deck guests. It is to be emphasized that the Empire State Building Observation Deck, atop the World’s Most Famous Building in the center of New York City, does offer a practical way for the most memorable marriage proposals.”
Neither person will be named on this site.
The episode also brings to light again the selfish actions of people looking to make a splash on social media. The observation deck was evacuated, and streets were closed, disrupting people’s routines.
Maybe they’ll be featured in another documentary. After all, given how social media rewards bad behavior, why shouldn’t streaming services?
