A group of activists gathered Friday to block the entrance of Elbit Systems in Merrimack to protest the Israel-based international defense electronics company over the war in Gaza.In a written statement released before the demonstration, the protesters said they intended to block workers from entering the facility to raise awareness of what they called an ongoing genocide in Gaza."Elbit makes 85% of Israel's drones and land vehicles, and this particular plant in Merrimack has a long history of working on surveillance technology," one of the protesters, Yusuf Ebrahim, said in the statement.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<Some of the protesters were chained to tires in front of the entrance to the defense contractor, and one of them was Yasmin Alani's son. She said her conscience dictated that she be there."I have a thousand places that I need to be today rather than be here, but you know, someone has to do this," she said.Other protesters were chained together through a car. "Two other devices were basically tires and concrete where they stuck their hands through the PVC pipes, and there were other things going on," said Merrimack Police Chief Brian Levesque.Alani said that what has gone on in Gaza has surpassed any sort of measured response to the initial attack on Israel. "Even if you're talking Oct. 7, look at the amount and the response of the killing," she said. "It's not stopping."For several hours, the protesters blocked the entrance. At 9:17 a.m., police told them they had five minutes to move to a public road or be arrested for criminal trespass.As police officers formed a line, the protesters retreated back down the company entrance to the public road to continue their demonstration, as police moved in and blocked the view of the protesters who were chained at the entrance. At about 11 a.m., police began arresting protesters."While we support the rights of protesters to peacefully express their views, we also take the safety and well-being of our employees extremely seriously, and we greatly appreciate the work today of local public officials to ensure safety for all," the company said in a written statement.Eight protesters were arrested and charged with criminal trespassing and resisting arrest. None of them are from New Hampshire, and six live in Maine. They were all released on personal recognizance bail and are due back in court in April.Protesters blocked the entrance of the building and poured paint on its sign during a demonstration in November. Several people are facing charges in connection with that event. >> See raw video of the protest below: