The best and the most correct answer among the choices provided by the question is the first choice. The denotation for proponent is "supporters" I hope my answer has come to your help. God bless and have a nice day ahead!
The denotation (the literal meaning, or "dictionary" meaning) of the word "proponents" is "supporters." This is implied in the passage, as it tells us that the protestors opposed the proponents of the bill. Those who disagree with the protestors are logically those who do support the bill.
It reveals the people in his life, were not "good people" and so he didn't want to grow up to be like them. They were struggling and He didn't want to struggle like them.