local
2 daredevils climb Empire State Building, appear to propose
By ABC News at KVIA ABC-7
· July 1, 2026
· 2 min read
By Ivan Pereira and Aaron Katersky
A daredevil couple climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner on top of its spire Wednesday afternoon, taking their love to new heights.
Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, who have gained an online following for their death-defying...
Key takeaway The black banner appeared to reference a Jimi Hendrix quote and said in white letters, "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.
Why this matters in The El Paso
While the daring stunt at the Empire State Building may seem like a distant event, El Pasoans who have visited the iconic landmark may be recalling their own experiences at the building's observation deck, now cleared of visitors due to the incident. The fact that the climbers were able to ascend to the top of the 1,454-foot spire and unfurl a banner raises questions about security measures in place at notable structures. In El Paso , where community events and festivals often take place at prominent venues, the safety and security of attendees is a top priority. As details of the Empire State Building incident emerge, local event organizers and venue managers may be taking note of the potential vulnerabilities in their own security protocols, considering how to balance accessibility with safety in the face of unexpected events.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Ivan Pereira and Aaron Katersky
A daredevil couple climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner on top of its spire Wednesday afternoon, taking their love to new heights.
Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, who have gained an online following for their death-defying...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by ABC News at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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