Jimmy Barnes Tells Reclaim Australia Protesters Using His Songs At Rallies To Cut That Shit Out
"Australia needs to stand up for love and tolerance in these modern times."
Jimmy Barnes’ contribution to the Australian voice is unparalleled; ‘Working Class Man’ is a timeless banger for the ages, and it would be our national anthem if there were any justice in this harsh, uncaring world.
He’s also living proof that immigration and multiculturalism have done Australia wonders; the Scottish-born singer has a Jewish maternal grandma, considers himself a Buddhist, and his wife Jane hails from Thailand. Anti-Islam Reclaim Australia protesters, who have been playing ‘Khe Sanh’ at their rallies, seem to have overlooked those inconvenient facts.
Whistles v khe sanh. Noise at 10 paces. pic.twitter.com/YqQoM2395z
— Michael Best (@michaelbesty) July 19, 2015
After hearing that Reclaim Australia have been using his music as part of their message, Barnes took to Facebook to emphasise his belief in a multicultural society and urge the group to leave his songs out of it.
“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. Australia needs to stand up for Love and Tolerance in these modern times,” Barnes said in a Facebook post.
“None of these people represent me and I do not support them.”
The post has gone viral overnight, having been picked up by progressive groups and the media. Reclaim Australia responded to Barnes’ request a few minutes ago, saying they’ll comply with his wishes and saying he has the wrong idea about them (he doesn’t).
Australians can rest easy knowing some of the greatest songs this country’s ever produced come courtesy of an anti-racist legend. Onya, Barnesy.