Rear hatch is jammed shut (pic)

[droflex]

id disconnect that whiteclipped rod first
rotate the clip
then move that lever at red.
to do that pull hard at the lever, red at the end where the white clips is removed
have person 2 push in on door, edge, to re leave pressure.

once open you will find (?) the staple shaped body strike plate the staple is hugely gooved like mine was. i bought a new one ask for pn/

K. So to verify. Your saying remove the white clip that is shown in the pic and pull on the lever only?

I'm don't think I can get up there with a vise grip (or any tool) to that lever since with the door jammed shut I have no room to work. I can't see what I'm doing. Working blind.

I've had the rod disconnected to where it attaches to the other end.

Do you think it would be fine to just use that rod to pull on?