HOUSTON — The student protests against a cellphone ban at Madison High School continued Thursday morning as devices were confiscated when kids walked in.
The ban went into effect on Monday, but students said Thursday was the first day it was being enforced. HISD said phones would be collected at the beginning of the school day unless they're kept inside their backpacks and aren't used.
Students claimed that they were searched as they entered the building. Some students turned away and didn't go inside -- skipping classes for the day.
"This feels like a prison today," one student said.
While the group protesting on Thursday was relatively small compared to the student body, the boycott was very vocal.
On Wednesday night, Madison HS shared a graphic on social media showing a map of the campus with different entry points for each grade. Something students said they'd never seen before.
"At every entrance, there were at least four different district officers -- people we’ve never seen at our school before and never been here," senior Tyvion Scott said.
Scott is going to Tennessee State next year but there are still things he wants to see change at his soon-to-be alma mater.
"My short-term goal, as of right now is to, I want our principal to ... I want him to actually hear us out because you can listen, but if you’re not hearing what we actually have to say, it makes no difference," Scott said.
According to Houston Independent School District officials, the ban was implemented due to fights centered around phones. Both students and parents were upset about it.
Parents said all students should not be punished for the actions of some.
"I'm just mad because my child had nothing to do with it and he's never got in trouble," Tysian Willhite said.
Willhite is the mother of an 11th grade student and said she feels students should have their phones for safety.
"You don't know what might happen," she said.
"These kids get their phone taken, anything can happen," said Monica Swift, another parent of a Madison HS student.
HISD released a statement on Monday reiterating that students must turn their phones in when they arrive at school and phones would be returned during the last period.
"Madison students do not have the privilege of using their phones during lunch," the statement said. "That is because cellphone video has been at the center of multiple recent fights on campus."
There's no word if the district or the school will take disciplinary action against these students if the walkouts continue.