A. You can easily rule out wishes and entertainment because the definitions (and connotations) do not match the rest of the sentence. Embarrassment also does not fit, because one can infer from word choice that the people were far more angry than embarrassed.
I would say that the best answer is C, persuasive. Tom is trying to persuade the legislature to repeal the the current laws.
Because you have to fit the context clues together like a puzzle
They could influence you into hiding your feelings or peer-pressure could cause you to do bad things
