Chester County Marchers Protest Sunoco's Mariner East 2 Pipeline

Marchers protesting Sunoco's embattled Mariner East II pipeline took to the pipeline's right of way this weekend in demonstration against the project.

The "peaceful prayer walk" was organized by the United Church of Christ East Goshen.

"We had the privilege of taking a stand for the community's safety as the pipeline prepares to carry volatile natural gas liquids under high pressure past our homes, a school, a retirement community, and an assisted living facility right in our backyards," the Church said in a statement, noting that the event was aimed at protecting "our beautiful world, our environment, and the beautiful diversity and life it provides us."

Lawmakers are calling for statewide action as accidents related to the pipeline's construction continue to pile up. Drinking water has been impacted, and a recent "frack out" ripped open a sinkhole on private property that is adjacent to SEPTA and Amtrak tracks.

Mariner East 2, if completed, would run a pipeline carrying natural gas liquids from the massive Marcellus Shale deposit in western Pennsylvania to Marcus Hook, on the Delaware River. It crosses through significant portions of Chester and Delaware counties on its way. The oil will then be shipped overseas, largely for use in creating plastics.

Drilling had been underway at 55 locations across Pennsylvania, according to an environmental nonprofit, the Clean Air Council. It has not begun at another 168 locations.

AP Photo/Keith Srakocic