Two people are arrested after climbing to the top of the Empire State Building’s antenna and unfurling a banner reading “the power of love,” according to multiple reports. Coverage based on AP and accompanying video says the pair reach the antenna at midday on Wednesday (some reports cite Tuesday), then begin descending after showing the banner. During the incident, they appear dressed in black and wearing masks. Several accounts note they do not appear to be using visible safety tethers while balancing on the narrow structure, and they are later seen embracing and taking selfies as authorities apprehend them.
One outlet says it is unclear how the two accessed the antenna area above public parts of the 102-storey building. Another report describes the antenna’s height as 1,454 feet (443 metres) above midtown Manhattan, based on helicopter footage. Across sources, the central points are the banner’s message, the location at the antenna, the timing as midday, and the pair’s arrest after the climb and descent.
