Quick answer

The banner unfurled atop the Empire State Building on July 1, 2026 read: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”

What happened

  • Two masked climbers—later identified as Russian “rooftoppers” Angela Nikolau (33) and Ivan Beerkus/Kuznetsov (32)—scaled the building’s 1,454‑foot antenna/spire in midtown Manhattan.
  • They displayed the large black banner with white lettering for several minutes, kissed, took selfies, and descended before being taken into custody by the NYPD.
  • The Empire State Building called it an “unauthorized incident” and said there was no threat to tenants, visitors, or observation deck guests.

About the quote

The wording is a well‑known peace quote often attributed to Jimi Hendrix, typically rendered as: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” The banner’s version is a close paraphrase with slightly different phrasing.

Legal fallout (brief)

Reports indicate the pair faced multiple charges, including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal trespass, and related offenses, after being arrested following their descent.

TL;DR: The sign said, “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.