Volunteer patrols and the PTA at school entrances: How Charlotte residents are mobilizing during the immigration crackdown

An American flag is hung atop a closed Latino-owned bakery on Tuesday in Charlotte, North Carolina. John Moore/Getty Images

The pews of the Charlotte church were packed as onlookers watched a man restrain a woman while a group in bright vests furiously blew their whistles and filmed the interaction, chanting, “La migra esta aqui.”

Another group loudly sang, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”

Clapping then erupted from the crowd.

The scene was among several role-play scenarios hundreds watched Wednesday evening at Dilworth United Methodist Church as part of a training on how to respond to the expanding federal immigration enforcement operation that has gripped the Charlotte area and left residents on high alert.

“Let’s practice our whistling language,” Rev. Joel S