More than 2,000 anti-fracking protesters from across New York gathered in the corridor of Empire State Plaza before, during and after the 2014 State of the State Address, Wed., Jan. 8. The demonstrators called for a statewide ban on the controversial hydraulic fracturing process. For the third year in a row, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo did not mention hydrofracking in his speech. The assembled environmentalists stretched for a quarter of a mile chanting, with signs and information disputing safety claims, emphasizing the health and environmental risks of fracking. No apparent pro-frackers appeared at this year’s event. The rally was organized by dozens of groups statewide, including New Yorkers Against Fracking, Food and Water Watch, The Sierra Club and Catskill Mountainkeeper.