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An Aussie anthem has been appropriated - and Jimmy Barnes isn't happy.

Cold Chisel singer Jimmy Barnes has asked anti-Islam protesters to stop playing his songs at rallies.

Protests across Australia took place over the weekend, with clashes between anti-Muslim and anti-racism demonstrators.

Channel Nine reporter Michael Best tweeted a video showing the anti-Islam Reclaim Australia protest in Brisbane playing Cold Chisel’s Khe Sanh as they held up signs and the Australian flag.

Barnes took to his Facebook page to acknowledge the use of his music at rallies by anti-Islam groups, saying such groups did not represent him.

The Scotland-born Barnes said in the statement: “If you look at my family you can see we are a multicultural family.”

Jimmy Barnes says he stands for love, tolerance and diversity in Australia.

His wife Jane, with whom he has four children, was born in Thailand.

"It has come to my attention that certain groups of people have been using my voice, my songs as their anthems at rallies," he wrote.

"None of these people represent me and I do not support them."

The singer is known for his pub-rock classics including Working Class Man and Khe Sanh and was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005.

 

A series of Reclaim Australia rallies were held around the country over the weekend.

In Melbourne police were forced to use capsicum spray as anti-racism protesters clashed with nationalists.

Federal Coalition MP George Christensen caused controversy by addressing the Reclaim Australia rally in Mackay.

Former Federal MP Pauline Hanson also addressed a rally in Rockhampton, saying she was "against the spread of Islam".

This post originally appeared on the ABC and was republished here with full permission. 
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