Russian couple arrested after ‘political’ Empire State Building stunt.
The climbers were arrested after making their way up the 1,454-foot Empire State Building on July 1. Prosecutors have charged them with burglary, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief, all classified as felonies, as well as the misdemeanor offence of criminal trespass.
Videos circulating online showed the couple reaching the top of the building's antenna and displaying a banner reading the famous quote from Jimi Hendrix, "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”
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Many consider the banner a protest, especially given the current context of the world (specifically America). Nonetheless, social media comments under posts related to the incident have people cheering for the couple and expressing support for the 'political' act. Many have also compared the exaggereated severity of the crime to the Epstien case, saying quote, "The authorities arrested them for vandilism and yet no arrests have been happened so far for the Epstien case?"
An Empire State Building spokesperson said the unauthorized climb was safely brought to an end through the coordinated efforts of building management and the New York Police Department, adding that the incident posed no danger to tenants, visitors or guests at the building's observation deck.
The New York Police Department stated that officers responded at around noon on July 1 after two individuals were spotted on the building's antenna. Both were taken into custody without resistance, and no injuries were reported.
Investigators have yet to determine precisely how the pair reached the antenna, though reports indicate they may have accessed it by breaching a restricted maintenance area above the building's highest public observation deck.
