I have struggled in vein to remove these dashboard clips. Is there a technique I am missing or too dumb to realize?

 

Wow, had just the opposite problem with mine, couldn't keep them in place. I wound up fitting Tinnerman clips then used screws with washers to hold the panel in place.
It appears they simply squeeze together while pulling down though.

 

See the catch on the top at the rear of the clip? That goes in first and comes out last. Squeeze and pull down from the front assuming they're not in backwards.

When installing, slide in the back first, then squeeze and push the front up.

 

Yep, just pinch and pull (doesn't take much).
Thanks for posting, it reminds me I need to find some of these, as I have a couple missing.