2 people climb to top of NYC's Empire State Building, fly banner

Two people could be seen with a banner at the very top of the Empire State Building in New York City Wednesday afternoon. The two, who appear to be a man and a woman, are wearing masks. "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace," the banner reads. Two people climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and flew a banner on July 1, 2026. CBS News New York It was not immediately clear how the two managed to climb all the way to the top of the radio and television transmission tower for local stations. It happened around noon Wednesday. Two people climbed to the top of the Empire State Building transmission tower on July 1, 2026. CBS News New York Shortly reaching the top and flying the banner, one of the two began to descend, but then made their way back to the top. An NYPD helicopter responded to the scene. At 12:35 p.m., the two began to descend from the top. At the start of the incident, other people could be seen milling about on building's observation deck below, as normal. Two people climbed to the top of the Empire State Building transmission tower on July 1, 2026. CBS News New York Check back soon for more on this developing story.