Declares publicly in favour of demands (9)

I believe the answer is:

proclaims

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'declares publicly' is the definition.
'proclaims' can be an answer for 'declares' (proclaiming is a kind of declaring). I am not sure about the 'publicly' bit.

'in favour of demands' is the wordplay.
'in favour of' becomes 'pro' (being pro a particular cause).
'demands' becomes 'claims' (claiming is a kind of demanding).
'pro'+'claims'='PROCLAIMS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for proclaims that I've seen before include "Announces officially" , "Advertises" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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