Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes has requested anti-Islam protestors refrain from playing his music at their rallies. Taking to Facebook, the Australian music icon insisted he does not endorse the message of the groups organising these protests.

As ABC News reports, last weekend saw numerous anti-Islam protests taking place across Australia, with clashes erupting between warring demonstrators. In Melbourne, police were forced to use capsicum spray as anti-racism protesters clashed with nationalists.

Channel Nine reporter Michael Best tweeted a video taken during a Reclaim Australia protest in Brisbane. In the clip, Cold Chisel’s ‘Khe Sanh’ can be heard in the background as protestors hold up signs and the Australian flag.

The use of the classic Australian rock song prompted the Scotland-born singer to issue a statement, acknowledging the use of his music at the rallies — which he did not mention by name — but saying he did not support them.

“It has come to my attention that certain groups of people have been using my voice, my songs as their anthems at rallies,” Barnes wrote. “I only want to say the Australia I belong to and love is a tolerant Australia.”

“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. If you look at my family you can see we are a multicultural family,” he continued.

Barnes’ wife, Jane, with whom the singer has four children, was born in Thailand. “Australia needs to stand up for Love and Tolerance in these modern times. None of these people represent me and I do not support them.”

Back in April, Australian songwriter John Schumann condemned the use of ‘I Was Only Nineteen’, the classic Australian peace anthem he wrote as a member of Adelaide band Redgum in 1983, during a Reclaim Australia rally.

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Speaking to News Corp, Schumann said the song was written to help people understand the plight of Australian Vietnam War veterans, and like his other songs, preached compassion, tolerance, and inclusiveness.

“I am very, very disappointed to see my work co-opted by what I, at my most charitable, consider to be a very confused `patriotic’ movement,” Schumann said in a statement at the time.

Schumann said the song honours all Australians who have put themselves in harm’s way for their country. “It is not to be used to advance ignorance and intolerance, especially as we approach the centenary of Anzac,” he added.

It has come to my attention that certain groups of people have been using my voice, my songs as their anthems at…

Posted by Jimmy Barnes – Official onTuesday, July 21, 2015

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