How do you get the emergency brake to release?

My 2000 Bonneville had this problem when the parking brake was applied it would not release, only get tighter (foot style brake, push again to release). Emergency solution is to call a tow company with a pair of cable cutters and have them cut the parking brake cable under the car forward of the adjuster. Otherwise you need to loosen the adjuster with a wrench and vice grip to release the parking brakes. Once the cable tension is gone, you can address the problem with parking brake foot assembly. There are 3 nuts to remove on mine to remove the assembly (one was hidden in the back). Turned out a tiny spring controls the entire release mechanism. The torsion style spring (look up what a torsion spring looks like online) is very thin wire which broke. Found pieces of it on the floorboard as I removed the entire parking brake foot assembly. Part no longer manufactured. I made my own spring out of some thin welding wire after practicing with paper clips and got it working again. Or you can probably still find the mechanism in old stock at a few dealers across the country if you search online for $100-200.

Some Pontiac models have a release cable pull located on the drivers side lower dash panel...other models do not have a seperate release pull...the white lettered instructions could be worn off...but you will need to depress the parking pad pedal in order to release...if none of this works, your parking brake cable is stuck, and needs to be lubricated...not a costly thing...have you had the rear brakes serviced? Hope this helps...:)