ARIZONA NEWS

Anti-abortion activist arrested after free-climbing Phoenix’s tallest skyscraper

Feb 7, 2023, 10:37 AM | Updated: 6:39 pm
(KTAR News Photo/Troy Barrett, left, Instagram Screenshot/Maison Des Champs, right)...
(KTAR News Photo/Troy Barrett, left, Instagram Screenshot/Maison Des Champs, right)
(KTAR News Photo/Troy Barrett, left, Instagram Screenshot/Maison Des Champs, right)

PHOENIX — An anti-abortion activist was arrested after scaling Chase Tower, Phoenix’s tallest skyscraper, without ropes Tuesday morning.

Maison Des Champs, who bills himself as “The Official Pro-Life Spider-Man,” reached the top of the 40-story downtown building at Monroe Street and Central Avenue around 11 a.m.

The 23-year-old was taken into custody on the roof. The Phoenix Police department said he would be booked into Maricopa County Jail on counts of trespassing and criminal nuisance.

Des Champs represents a nonprofit called Let Them Live, which raises funds and awareness for women who seek an abortion because they cannot financially support a child.

When the Phoenix Fire Department responded the scene around 9:45 a.m., Des Champs was about 15 stories into his ascent, Capt. Todd Keller said.

Des Champs made the climb by pressing his hands and feet into each side of an approximately 3-foot-wide channel that runs up the building and scooting up bit by bit.

He posted a dizzying video of his view to Instagram while mid-climb.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Maison DesChamps (@prolife.spiderman)

Keller said crews were stationed in a stairwell behind the channel to stay in contact with him.

“If this person got fatigued or he needed help, we were ready to act and help this person off the tower,” Keller said.

Monday’s stunt drew plenty of attention with the Super Bowl and related activities in town, including the Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center just a few blocks away.

Keller, for one, wasn’t amused.

“This is highly dangerous,” he said. “This is absolutely not the thing to do. We totally frown upon this.”

Des Champs is currently raising money for a woman named Hope who has an abortion scheduled for Friday, according to Let Them Live President and CEO Emily Berning.

“He climbs and raises awareness and money to support the women that we help so they can choose life over abortion,” Berning said.

This is the seventh time Des Champs has climbed a building for the cause, according to Berning.

On his website, Des Champs says he’s an experienced climber and that skyscrapers are “significantly easier to climb than rock.”

The website also says he usually gets arrested for trespassing or disorderly conduct when he climbs buildings, but the “charges are either dropped or easily fought in court.”

The 483-foot-high Chase Tower was sold in 2018 and has been vacant since Chase relocated its Valley headquarters to Tempe.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Griselda Zetino contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)...
Associated Press

Arizona high court rejects all but 1 of Kari Lake’s election claims

The Arizona Supreme Court has declined to hear most of Republican Kari Lake’s appeal in a challenge of her defeat in the governor’s race but revived a claim that was dismissed by a trial court.
6 hours ago
(Facebook Photo/Cartwright Elementary School)...
Griselda Zetino

Valley school district switches to 4-day workweek to recruit, retain staff

A Phoenix-area school district is switching to a four-day workweek to attract new employees and entice current ones to stay on the job.
6 hours ago
(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)...
KTAR.com

Arizona marijuana products voluntarily recalled due to fungus concerns

Arizona’s marijuana industry is voluntarily recalling products due to Aspergillus, a fungus that can cause allergic reactions or infection.
6 hours ago
(Johnny's Chicken & Waffles Photos)...
KTAR.com

Ne-Yo to open Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles at Westgate in Glendale

Singer-songwriter Ne-Yo announced on Tuesday that Johnny's Chicken & Waffles will open in the West Valley at the end of the month.
6 hours ago
Fossil Creek. (Facebook Photo/Coconino National Forest)...
KTAR.com

Fossil Creek, San Pedro River segment water quality improves, leads to ADEQ delisting

Fossil Creek and the lower San Pedro River near Winkelman are now safe for recreation according to the ADEQ.
6 hours ago
Mudvayne...
Kevin Stone

Metal veterans Mudvayne to play Phoenix area for first time since 2009

Mudvayne's Psychotherapy Sessions Tour will stop at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix in August.
1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

...
Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Celebrate 50 years of Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade magic!

Since its first production in the early 1970s, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe has been a staple of Valley traditions, bringing family fun and excitement to downtown Phoenix.
...
Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Prep the plumbing in your home just in time for the holidays

With the holidays approaching, it's important to know when your home is in need of heating and plumbing updates before more guests start to come around.
(Photo via MLB's Arizona Fall League / Twitter)...
Arizona Fall League

Top prospects to watch at this year’s Arizona Fall League

One of the most exciting elements of the MLB offseason is the Arizona Fall League, which began its 30th season Monday.
Anti-abortion activist arrested after free-climbing Phoenix’s tallest skyscraper