Two trespassers climb to top of Empire State Building, fly banner

BREAKING NEWSUpdated 7 minutes agoU.S. newsU.S. newsTwo trespassers climb to top of Empire State Building, fly bannerImages from NBC New York’s helicopter showed two people in dark outfits holding a black flag with white lettering. The two later appeared to be making out.Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJuly 1, 2026, 12:37 PM EDT / Updated July 1, 2026, 1:01 PM EDTBy Daniel ArkinTwo people scaled to the top of New York City’s famed Empire State Building on Wednesday afternoon, unfurled a pro-peace banner and appeared to start making out.Limited time: Save 25% on NBC News subscriptionGet exclusive reporting, live Q&As and ad-free reading.The pair, a man and a woman in dark outfits and masks, displayed a flag that read: “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”In one especially surreal moment, the man got down on one knee and appeared to propose to the woman. The two embraced and kissed as NBC New York helicopters circled overhead.They eventually started working their way down to street level. The Empire State Building stands at nearly 1,500 total feet.Two people holding a black flag with white lettering on top of the Empire State Building in New York on Wednesday.NBC New YorkTwo people atop the Empire State Building in New York on Wednesday.NBC New YorkIt was not immediately clear how the two people ascended to the top of the building, one of the city’s marquee tourist attractions.The incident comes as New York City grapples with an influx of visitors in town for World Cup matches and the July Fourth holiday weekend. The city is also readying for the possibility of pop star Taylor Swift and football player Travis Kelce’s wedding at Madison Square Garden.ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleDaniel ArkinDaniel Arkin is a senior reporter at NBC News.