Two individuals were arrested on Wednesday after climbing the antenna of the iconic Empire State Building in New York City and unfurling a banner promoting love and peace before safely descending from the structure.
The pair, dressed in black clothing and wearing face masks, scaled a narrow section near the top of the building’s antenna, which rises approximately 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan.
Aerial footage captured by news helicopters showed the duo embracing, apparently kissing and posing for photographs while perched on the towering structure.
During the stunt, they displayed a banner bearing the message: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”
The banner fluttered in the wind as the pair remained atop the antenna for several minutes, drawing the attention of emergency responders and onlookers below.
READ ALSO: Security Operatives Arrest Two Suspected Kidnappers In Plateau, Recover ₦8m Ransom
At about 12:30 p.m., the two began climbing down through the antenna’s metal framework toward a wider platform beneath.
During the descent, one of the individuals appeared to set up an electronic device before briefly kneeling on the platform.
The pair later embraced and kissed again, while the other individual took several selfies and appeared to display what looked like a ring on the left hand.
Law enforcement officers took both individuals into custody shortly after 1 p.m.
Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported during the incident.
Officials have yet to explain how the pair managed to gain access to the restricted antenna area, which is located far above the Empire State Building’s public observation decks.
Management of the Empire State Building had not issued an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report, while authorities are expected to investigate the security breach and determine whether additional charges will be filed.