After studying this carefully, consulting the shop manual (not much help), discarding the idea of a long pry bar and running like hell
I figured out the procedure. Actually quite simple and safe. I removed the trunk lid hinges first. At this point there is still some tension but not much. Then at the top of the bar where it bends to go to the other side of the car you pull up, slide slightly back and push down and forward. Tension gone, bar comes right out, no blood, no scratched paint.
Pretty cool the way it was designed.