Thousands rally as Poland's near-total abortion ban takes effect

Protests erupted across Poland as a near-total ban on abortion came into effect Wednesday despite widespread opposition to the legislation, per the New York Times.

Why it matters: Abortion is now only legal in cases of rape, incest or if there's a risk to a pregnant woman's life.

• The ruling Law and Justice Party delayed implementing the October court decision after it sparked the biggest protests since the fall of communism's in 1989.
• The rallies held amid spiking COVID-19 cases show the anger many feel toward a conservative government that's "growing increasingly autocratic," NYT notes.