A group of spectators carrying it does prove disturbing (7)

I believe the answer is:

agitate

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a group of spectators carrying it does prove disturbing' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'a group of spectators carrying' is the wordplay.
'group of' becomes 'it' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'spectators' becomes 'gate' (I've seen this before).
'carrying' indicates putting letters inside.
'it' going into 'gate' is 'gitate'.
'a'+'gitate'='AGITATE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for agitate that I've seen before include "Keep moving" , "Stir vigorously" , "Foment" , "Disturb or churn" , "Stir violently" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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