To complete this puzzle, fill all the cells with the correct letters. That's what makes this a "fill" puzzle. (This is a "marching bands" puzzle, where the "bands" entries go all the way around the center while the "rows" go straight across.)

Here's a Google Sheet you can copy, if that helps.

Bands (clockwise from each number) (get it? it's a clock)

1. Counter-protest? (2 words) / Ж / Survival kit item / Bay Area city / Swill / Capital of Uganda
2. ____ of hand / Attended via audio (2 words) / Edison's haunt (2 words)
3. Subject of my master's degree / In Australia, they go on cars
4. Function of a clock tower (2 words)

Rows

1. Roof of mouth / "I Love Bees," e.g.
2. Grades, as papers / She recognized your foul stench when she was brought on board
3. Copy / Cocktails named for the country with the fastest fixed broadband speeds in the entire world
4. Assumed name of Cyrus Teed (this clue is your excuse to learn about Cyrus Teed) / SHF unit
5. Not in favor / How many times have I done Marching Bands for a "tower" puzzle?
6. Irishman's Joe / Nicholas II, for one
7. Wheel that can roll sideways / Donald's twin sister
8. Come together (weird, arguably incorrect spelling) / Sidestep

Answer Checker: Check

Hints: Well, make sure you're not writing the E clues across the middle, because, that's where the answer goes.

Solution/Explanation