speak up for (?.)

• advocate
• allege in support
• answer
• argue for
• assert
• champion
• contend for
• counter
• defend
• espouse
• maintain
• make a plea
• plead for
• rebut
• refute
• reply
• respond
• riposte
• say in defense
• speak for
• stand up for
• stick up for
• support
• sustain
• uphold
• urge reasons for