Help w/ Mud Flap Removal

[PaulSula]

Just a quick question. I wanted to take off my mud flaps, and had a question about the plastic tabs that hold them on along with the screws. I got the screws out on the first one and then noticed realized that the flap was not any looser than it was before. I started with the middle plastic tab and when I tried to apply some pressure it broke. First question is,

Am I missing something, or do you just have to pop those things out?

Secondly, what are some ways that you all used to get the plastic tabs out?

Thank you.