After confusion and an extensive investigation into the flag replacement stunt, Mischa Leinkauf and Matthias Wermke came forward in August to admit they were responsible and had meant the act to be in recognition of the bridge's German-born designer John Roebling on the 145th anniversary of his death.

The 20-foot by 11-foot flags were hand-sewn by the artists and the originals were carefully preserved and returned to the city.

The incident was the focus of a later art project called Symbolic Threats exploring the response to their stunt, where the all-white flags were viewed with confusion, apprehension, and an emergency response.