Protesters call for Kenosha County judge to resign following Rittenhouse ruling

KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Protesters staged a die-in outside the Kenosha County courthouse one day after Kyle Rittenhouse was allowed to remain free on bond.

The protesters argued the county's justice system is unfair, and called for the judge who allowed Rittenhouse to remain free on bond to resign or be removed.

"Say his name," cried out protesters as they lay on the steps of the courthouse. They want Rittenhouse back in jail.

"He shouldn't get special privileges, but he is, actively emboldening white supremacists and militia members," said Leaders of Kenosha organizer Erica Ness.

They're angry Judge Bruce Schroeder refused to arrest Rittenhouse when he failed to provide an updated address to the court as a condition of his bond.

"(Schroeder) definitely would be treating Kyle very differently if he were Black or brown," said Ness.

"I'm not going to decide anything in this case, or any other, on the basis of the color of anybody's skin," said Schroeder during Thursday's hearing.

He ruled against issuing an arrest warrant for Rittenhouse because he said prosecutors failed to prove their case.

"I do not believe it's proper to issue a warrant, I don't believe it would be lawful," said Schroeder.

He also cut off any mention of demonstrators.

"This case is not going to be decided about by demonstrators of one type or another, frankly its not going to affect anything I do," said Schroeder.

Demonstrators vowed to vote for new judges as they come up for election.