Question

the red guards carried out the cultural revolution by
protecting old customs against new reforms.
persecuting intellectuals and government officials
freeing thousands of people from reeducation camps
recruiting supporters of capitalistic policies.

Explanation:

During the Cultural Revolution, the Red Guards were involved in actions that disrupted society. They targeted intellectuals and government officials, seeing them as part of the "old" or "counter - revolutionary" elements. They did not protect old customs (they were supposed to destroy the "four olds" - old customs, culture, habits, and ideas). They did not free people from re - education camps (re - education camps were a part of the Cultural Revolution's upheaval). And they were against capitalist - like elements, not recruiting supporters of capitalistic policies.

Answer:

persecuting intellectuals and government officials