Can anyone remove the center dash?

Attempting to follow the CoastalTech instructions on installing the Lockpick 3 (on a 2008 Prius) and after following the first step, I'm stumped!

Step 1: Remove the lower (gray) center console by removing the friction pin. (I pulled and pulled but the pin would not remove or even pop out). I finally bought a tool and ripped up the outside plastic getting the plastic pin out. I've NEVER seen a simple body panel pin stick so hard.)
Step 2: Pull the lower hump shaped center plastic dash panel out.

I've almost literally stretched the plastic panel trying to get it out.
It doesn't pull left, pull right or pull straight out and up. It's almost super glued.

How does this panel come out?

(I did a search of PChat and found some instructions didn't work in my case).

Anyone help?

Thanks!