Jimmy Barnes warns anti-Islamic protesters to stop playing his songs

ROCK legend Jimmy Barnes has issued a warning to anti-Islamic protesters: stop playing my classic hits as your anthems.

Singer Jimmy Barnes enjoys playing to the packed crowd during the Cold Chisel concert at the Deniliquin Ute Muster in NSW.

ROCK legend Jimmy Barnes has issued a warning to anti-Islamic protesters: stop playing my classic hits as your anthems.

Anti-Islamic groups, including Reclaim Australia, have reportedly used Cold Chisel’s hit Khe Sanh at protests and in promotion videos.

The groups have clashed with anti-racism protesters across the country, including in a day of mayhem that saw police pepper spray large crowds in Melbourne on Saturday.

Barnes said in a Facebook post that “none of these people represent me” and called for Australians to stand up for love and tolerance.

“I only want to say the Australia I belong to and love is a tolerant Australia,” he said.

“A place that is open and giving. It is a place that embraces all sorts of different people, in fact it is made stronger by the diversity of its people.”

Barnes moved to Australia from Scotland as a four year old. His wife, Jane, was born in Thailand.

The Cold Chisel hit, which calls Australia the “lucky land”, is thought to be one of the country’s classic songs.

Barnes’ post has garnered widespread support with almost 15,000 “likes” and thousands of shares.

Ian McLean offered his support on the singer’s Facebook page, posting: “You tell them Jimmy”. “We live in a great part of the world with great people of all walks, we all can live togeather (sic) in peace and love for each other,” he said.

@moniquehore

Originally published as Jimmy Barnes warns anti-Islamic protesters to stop playing his songs