what is the back story with the banners on top of tower

The banners were part of a stunt on top of the Empire State Building, not an official display. Reports say a masked couple climbed the tower, unfurled a banner reading, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace,” and what followed looked like an apparent marriage proposal or romantic statement.

Back story

The people involved were identified in reports as a Russian daredevil couple known for “rooftopping,” the practice of climbing tall structures for dramatic photos and videos. Their climb was unauthorized, and they were arrested afterward on multiple charges.

The wider context is that the couple had already built a reputation around high-risk public stunts, and one report noted they were featured in a 2024 Netflix documentary about their adventures.

What the banner meant

The message itself was a peace-and-love slogan, but the story around it points to two layers at once: a dramatic public statement and, apparently, a romantic gesture. Different outlets described it as a peace banner, a love message, or an apparent proposal.

Why it’s trending

People are talking about it because it blends spectacle, romance, and illegal trespassing on one of New York’s most famous landmarks. That combination made it spread quickly across news and social feeds.

TL;DR

It was a risky rooftop stunt by a daredevil couple on the Empire State Building, with a banner carrying a peace-and-love message that also appeared tied to a proposal or romantic moment.